Dear Friends in Christ,
During the time I served as the Bishop of Brandon, I would periodically leave my car in The Pas, Manitoba and travel by bus to the most northern points. It was a way to relax and catch up on some reading. On one such trip the bus ticket consisted of seven sections due to stops and changes along the way. Across the end of each section of the ticket was printed in bold letters: “NOT VALID IF DETACHED.”
Very simply, the bus ticket became invalid if it was split apart by anyone but the bus driver. I sense Jesus was driving home the same point about being NOT VALID IF DETACHED when he declared: “I am the vine, you are the branches, apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
As we journey into 2006 as spiritual pilgrims and servants of Jesus, this may be a good time to once again re-examine the nature and depth of our “attachment” to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Certainly the call of Jesus is personal to each one of us and it is call to follow him, to serve him, to be wholeheartedly committed to him in a radical form of discipleship, whatever the cost may be in personal terms. In assessing the depth of one’s “attachment” to our Lord, here are a few questions to prayerfully ponder:
Indeed a long distance bus ticket and biblical references to one’s daily walk of Christian discipleship both seem to make a common declaration: “NOT VALID IF DETACHED.”
Every Blessing,
- Bishop Malcolm Harding.
God’s word does indeed remind us that a tree is known by its fruits. I would urge you to take time to prayerfully re-examine your walk with Jesus. Put yourself to the test above. Recognize with thanksgiving those areas where you are ‘attached’ to our Lord the true vine, and growing as a disciple. Ask God to heal and help you in those areas where you sense that you are somewhat detached at the moment from Jesus the true vine.
Bishop Malcolm is the ambassador of ARM Canada and was formerly the Episcopal bishop of the diocese of Brandon.
He can be reached at 204-726-5738, E-mail: mharding@mts.net
The Rt. Rev. Malcolm Harding
Episcopal Visitor to ARM