Apprentice
For sometime I have struggled for a term to describe Christians.
I dropped Christian sometime in the past because my Muslim friends associated it with the Crusades and war, My African and South American friends with Colonialism, and in the US and Europe its almost ambiguous definition caused by association with Casual Cultural Church-ism, Fundamentalist, White Nationalist, and others.
I tried: Follower Of Jesus for a few years and really liked it, but it has been appropriated by some who have, in my opinion, gotten off the path. Besides it implies that we may be on the same path. But at times Jesus is so far ahead of us that we constantly have to search for signs that he has been there.
Since I am not a creative guy, I had to look to others. I don’t remember where I found it but I really like the term, “I Am an Apprentice of Jesus.” That term is active. It implies far more than being on the same path or loosely identified with him. It is indicative of an attachment to Jesus where we try to learn to Act like him, Speak like him. Think like him. Serve like him. Even Love like him. Become one with him and the Father! And Walk in the Spirit like him.
An Apprentice is chosen by a Master who by word and action shows him a way of life. A Master does not simply say, “Learn this,” they say, “Here let me show you” and guide your hands to do the task. It is an ongoing lifestyle of teaching/learning.
What do you think?
Does that define your relationship with Jesus?