If you were going to follow Jesus, what would you pack?

29Sep
by Jon Swanson

Sometimes I ask questions before I know the answer.

I was working on a study guide for a couple groups I work with. I wrote the question in the title of this post. And then I started my answer.

  • Pen. Sharpie.
  • Blank paper.

And then I had to take my answer apart.

When I was asking the question, I wasn’t thinking about following like sitting and taking notes. I was thinking more about what tools I would take if I was going to follow along and work with Jesus.

I mean, some people would grab a toolbelt. They’d check for their hammer, make sure the pliers were in the little pouch for pliers, that there were screwdrivers in the appropriate loops. For those people, following looks like fixing walls that hurricanes have blasted through.

Some people would grab brown paper bags and clear baggies. They would check the shelves for knives and peanut butter and loaves of bread. For those people, following looks like feeding people just like Jesus did.

Some people would make sure they had their pneumatic wrench and floor jack for fixing the cars of single moms not getting child support who can’t afford rent let alone car repairs. For those people, following looks like caring for widows and orphans.

Some people, on their way out the door, would grab a briefcase of scrapbooking paper or a set of Bible commentaries or a handful of crayons or a calculator. Sympathy cards and sermons and crafts with kids and responsible church finances all matter.

The other day I started helping a guy think through college choices. I almost wrote on the wall with the marker in my pocket, outlining options. Instead, I dragged him to my office.

So, what’s in your pack, as you head off, following Jesus?

11 thoughts on “If you were going to follow Jesus, what would you pack?”

  2. Rich Dixon's avatar

    Rich Dixon

    Interesting–I liked your original answer, because I interpreted the question differently.

    I guess I was thinking like Mary, not Martha. If He showed up at my house (which, of course, He has) I’d want to just sit and listen and take it all in, get as close as possible. I’d be thinking about being (with Him) rather than doing.

    I wonder what tools He’d want me to pack?

    Like

    1. Jon Swanson's avatar

      Jon Swanson

      1. ah, but my original answer is to the “what would take to use” version of the question.

      2. I think, dear friend, that our challenge is to learn how to take the step from being with him to doing with him.

      3. So, what tools is it, dear teacher, writer, provoker, rider?

      Like

  3. ecko's avatar

    ecko

    wow great thought. I am going to be chewing on this for a time. but I know I would take something that I can write on for possible notes or tasks so I can keep up with other things.

    Like

  4. Matt's avatar

    Matt

    Why would you take anything at all? I haven’t needed anything yet.

    If Jesus was a carpenter, then perhaps he’d need an apprentice, but we never here about the house he built, or the wagons he fixed. He is never described as taking anything along with him on his journeys. So why should I take anything?

    Love your neighbor. All you have to be is willing to give, someone else will take that love, or not.

    Like

  6. Mary's avatar

    Mary

    New here. Love this post. Interesting to think about, too. For me, it would be an open and loving heart, first. Pen and paper (or Alphasmart Neo) second.

    Like

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