Each day on the journey, the disciple of Jesus has to make a choice about continuing. Is this the time to look back, or should we continue on? Our response to that question is how faith grows. The masters of spiritual development have known that for a long time.
In the Benedictine monasteries of medieval Europe, all of the monks wore habits of simple, unimpressive cloth as a symbol of their spiritual journey. The new novice surrendered his old clothes in exchange for the new habit. But the old clothes were not discarded. They remained in the monastery closet as a reminder to the novice that should he ever want to leave, the old clothes were waiting for him. This option forced them to choose their vocation every day.
It was for this same reason that Martin Luther claimed he had to be born again every day. Each day he had to choose to embrace his baptismal vows. Each day he had to renew his commitment to follow Jesus to places that he would rather not go.
M. Craig Barnes
When God Interrupts
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