Aging Well” Adapted from Chasing the Sage, by Bud Lamb
The BIG IDEA
None of the qualities of the Christian (sage) life can be learned out of a book. Something more like apprenticeship is required; being around someone who, out of years of devoted discipline, shows us by his or her entire behavior what it is.
Moments of verbal instruction will certainly occur; but mostly, an apprentice acquires skill by daily and intimate association with a “master”, picking up subtle but absolutely essential things such as timing and rhythm and “touch”.
Follow my (Paul’s) example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV
Listen to how the master, Paul, speaks to us — now a Sage through the centuries…
As long as I’m alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I’d choose. Hard choice. The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful.
Some days I can think of nothing better, but most days because of what you are going through, I am sure that it’s better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around for a while, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues.
You can start looking forward to a great reunion. When I come to visit you again, we’ll be praising Christ, enjoying each other. Philippians 1:22-23 The Message
Christ just leaks right out of Paul. It happens effortlessly because Paul has let go of ambition for fame or to have the spotlight.
Paul is just as pleased to see the young, the misguided, or those with impure motives proclaim Jesus’ Way. Paul sees that Christ is working His will out in ways that Paul can’t even completely understand himself.
The Sage lives a life of trust — not the ambition for trust — but a life of the demonstrated trust. And the challenge here is simply this: to become what we believe. This transformation requires a long apprenticeship which, of necessity, requires a measure of suffering.
Reading the books that Paul has written, understanding the price he paid to know and follow Christ in this way provides keen insight for us. We’re looking for someone to follow.
Countless times, Paul encourages others to be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1
He tells his beloved Philippians, What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me–practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9
In chasing the Sage we call no attention to ourselves. At all times we point people to Christ.
Paul is no longer looking for the approval of others. He knows that he’s playing to a stadium filled with an audience of One.
For me, it is such a long and painful apprenticeship. The desire for the spotlight or to be seen or noticed or for people to go, “Wow!” is so strong, and yet the Lord is faithful to continue to help me in this apprenticeship.
No, the qualities of this sage life are not learned from a book, but through a long and difficult apprenticeship.
It is well worth the journey.
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