2 weeks ago I was leading a Disciple Bible class at our church. We were discussing Leviticus and some of the major prophets of the Bible. A question was posed in our workbook for me to ask:

“Assuming the radical disciple is one who is at the direction of God in a way that is unusual, who is the radical disciple in this week’s Scripture?… What about you? What unusual call is yours at the direction of God?”

In asking the question, no one in the class really wanted to step forward and say they were a radical disciple.

So I offered up one for myself. I offered that my radical discipleship is in writing these Rocky Mountain Climbing diaries. I feel that without God’s direction they would not find a home in people’s hearts as they have. And, how I am constantly touched by someone’s comments to me following reading these entries in such a way as I can only begin to understand the narrowest of understandings of why God is having me do this.

After I offered this, everyone was still silent.

I am going to tell this story in reverse order of how it was answered, but you will understand why I do so at the end.

First I’ll tell you about Melinda. That night, Melinda was celebrating her 12^th year of survival of a heart transplant. Given little or no chance to survive even a year after the surgery, she continues to enter each day of her life full of joy. She has two teenage twin girls, a son and loving husband that owe so much to her living life to its fullest even when enduring great pain and uncertainty. Her example of faith is a radical discipleship.

Julie just considers herself a normal mom. Julie has 2 young girls. She teaches bible school classes, has taught Disciple Bible in the past, helps at church in any required need and serves as a wonderful example of faith and loving kindness. She has also taken seminary classes and I hope one day she will continue onward as her path will lead many to God. She is an example of a radical disciple.

Pat has survived breast cancer. She struggles with her mortality as anyone would who has had to deal with this sickness. She also assists other women who have been so stricken and is a rock for them. She leads people to wellness as a radical disciple.

Jan, like Julie, has been in our class since Disciple 1. We have known her for 3 plus years. She was a teacher and then a principal of an elementary school and recently retired. She has been caring for her father, who is 94 years old, for the last few years as his health has deteriorated. She has come to class many times at 8:30 or 9:00 after getting her father to sleep at a hospital, rehabilitation center or nursing home many times just catching the last 30 minutes of the class. And she always apologizes when she is late. To me she walks in the room with a halo glowing around her whole body as we have seen her assume the rolls of caregiver for her father (and husband), mother and wildly enthusiastic grandmother going to Disneyland. Only recently we found out she helps at all of the funerals at our church. She along with the others are radical disciples.

Jan’s father died the Friday after our class on Tuesday night. I am sure her father was sent to God on eagle’s wings and that Jan’s heart will carry him safely there.

I am sending this to you and we anticipate that Jan will be back in class this Tuesday.

As you read this about these, so-called, normal people were you just in a little bit of awe of what they do in their lives to be such an asset to God. I know I am in awe of them every time we have class.

These are my heroes, these are radical disciples.

So I am asking you to tell me what you have done as a radical disciple.

What little thing or big thing can you claim that has made a radical difference in someone else’s life?

And I ask this of all of you because, I know, all of you are radical disciples.