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Written by Michelle J. Goff, Founder and Executive Director for Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas
A first-century Hebrew legend states that a good disciple is covered in the dust of the Rabbi. He follows his teacher’s steps so closely that he cannot escape the dust kicked up by his sandals.
A wise woman who practices closely following the steps of Jesus (1Pe 2:21) will be covered in the dust of the Rabbi. What will she look like?
- She will love God and seek Him first (Mt 6:33, 22:37).
- She will be known for Christ’s love in her (Jn 13:35).
- She will talk with God at all hours (Lk 6:12).
- She will openly express her feelings to God through prayer (Mt 26:42).
- She will ask for the support of others (Mt 26:37-38).
- She will serve others (Mt 20:28).
- She will be holy: set apart for a purpose (2Pe 1:16).
This is not an exhaustive list. What other characteristics come to mind that a follower of Christ would “pick up” in the dust of the Rabbi?
The more we walk with Him and talk with Him, the more like Christ we will become. Acts 4:13 is one of my favorite verses because it was obvious to others that two simple, ordinary men had been with Jesus.
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. (NIV)
Can you recall a moment in which it was obvious to others that you had been spending time with Jesus?
At the end of a women’s retreat, after a time of worship on Sunday morning, after a Bible class digging deep into the Word, after an intensive time in prayer… any time we can spend in relationship with our Teacher will become the overflow from which we live, act, and speak. Jesus spoke with His Father frequently so that His words would always be an accurate representation of His Father (Jn 12:49).
One Wednesday night, my mom was on the phone with a friend who commented on how exhausted my mom sounded, recognizing how discouraged she was about a situation. “I am tired,” mom admitted, “but I need to go on into the church building. Thanks for your prayers.”
Mom called the friend back after the evening services, and her friend observed, “Wow! You sound like a different person. Are you still tired? I can tell you were truly uplifted by the time with other Christians.”
When we walk in the dust of the Rabbi, we also have the blessing of spending time with others who are “dusty.” None of us walk the Christian walk perfectly. We are practicing. When one falls, another is there to pick us up (Ecc 4:10). And the closer we each follow in the Rabbi’s steps, the deeper we grow in relationship with one another. A wise woman who practices following closely in the steps of the Rabbi will walk with other disciples who are following Jesus.
Connecting to God and one another more deeply, equipping other women to do so… sounds like a great idea for a women’s ministry!
How do you want to grow closer to Jesus, walking in the dust of the Rabbi?
What is a thorn hindering you from following in His steps?
How can you have another Iron Rose Sister encourage or accompany you to “get dusty”? Thank each other for the opportunity to serve as iron sharpening iron as we practice following in the steps of the Rabbi.
Written by Juaneylla White, Iron Rose Sister Ministries Board Member in Texas
How do we follow in His steps today? I have been asked this question before.
I think that in their journey with the Eternal One, many people also ask themselves: how can I follow in the steps of Jesus? However, only an honest introspection of how we are walking towards eternity drives us to turn the key within ourselves and seek a more assertive direction, turning our hearts to listen to the voice of our Shepherd.
In John 10:27, Jesus declares, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (NIV). I was not always a sheep, but from a very early age, the seed of faith had been planted in my heart. It took almost two decades, since my early years of life, for me to understand that to be a sheep, I needed to let Jesus be my shepherd and that to follow in His footsteps, I needed to calculate how much this decision would cost me.
I needed to understand that the false gods needed to leave my heart so that Jesus could enter and reign — that I was one of those gods with my own will and righteousness that in reality were just filthy rags (Isa 64:6). I also needed to understand that in addition to repenting and recognizing my desperate need for a Savior, I needed to deny myself, take up my cross, and follow Him day by day.
For me, following in the footsteps of Jesus has always meant walking as He walked. It seems simple, but it’s not so easy when human nature wants to speak louder and fights against the spirit. Living life in obedience to the Word of God means submitting to His will for my life. I see that this is much more than following rules or completing a weekly checklist, but rather a daily lifestyle that not only pleases God, but represents Him, glorifies Him, and imitates Him not only in what suits me but in what most challenges my human and carnal side.
It is renouncing myself and seeking sanctification daily. It is being aware that if I fall, there is a hand that can lift me up; there is a new beginning because God's forgiveness is waiting for me. Following in the steps of Jesus is definitely going against the grain of a fallen society that is separated from God, understanding that my journey (or that of any sincere Christian) towards heaven is not easy, but it is possible because of Christ and His Holy Spirit that lives within me. It is understanding that I am in this world, but I am not from here. It is being like a child in His purity without being childish, rather serving Him with understanding and discernment in my heart and mind. The more I seek Him, the more I know Him, and the more intimacy and communion I have and desire.
The enemy has always used strategies to divert us from God’s purpose and destroy us, so Jesus came on our behalf to destroy the works of the devil and give us life, and life in abundance (Jn 10:10). Following in His steps is having the privilege of being a Christian, of being chosen, of being a beloved, redeemed, proven daughter, a representative of heaven, a messenger of His Word. It is serving and loving my neighbor without falling into the trap of performance or “deserving.” It is living as someone whose purpose in life is eternal things, knowing that I am a pilgrim here and that my homeland is heaven and that is where my treasure is; that is where those are who left me a legacy of faith in Christ. Following in His steps is walking in obedience and submission in the certainty that as a co-heir of Christ, one day I will be in His presence sitting at His table, enjoying full communion where I will see Him face to face.
Following in the steps of Jesus in obedience has been and continues to be the best and most important choice that I make every day, simply because I love Him!
Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. (Jn 14:21a)
My desire is to continue following the Lord and encourage others to do the same. May God help us!
