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.
