Conclusion

What I learned about being a disciple of Jesus watching my son become a US Marine

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Several years ago, my wife and I stood with a group of other parents at the US Marine Corps Recruitment Depot in San Diego, California. We were there to watch our son and other young Marine recruits as they completed bootcamp. Frankly, we were shocked at the transformation we could see in our son. It was remarkable in every way.

Reflecting on his bootcamp experience and what the US Marine Corps do to transform these young people from civilians to Marines has provided insights into the process of becoming an intentional disciple of Jesus.

First, the goal of the US Marine Corps with each recruit is to turn them into Marines. The Father’s goal for each of us is to transform us into men and women who are just like Jesus.

Second, the process that produces this transformation from a civilian to a Marine is not subtle. The process begins by tearing down the civilian identity, beliefs, habits, and expectations and then instilling new ones that are appropriate and necessary to live and serve as a US Marine. Isn’t that exactly how we could describe what should happen to those who follow Jesus?

Third, the hardships experienced in bootcamp are designed to push these young men and women physically, mentally, and emotionally beyond what they think they can do to show them how much more capable they are than they thought. Hasn’t this been the common experience of believers in Jesus through the centuries, too? Hardship and difficulty are often the most fertile times in our lives, and we come out of them with greater faith than before.

But not every young recruit makes it through bootcamp and not every person who says “yes” to Jesus makes it either. How do we account for that and is there anything we can do to help?

A final observation about the Marine bootcamp experience may be helpful. Not all recruits arrive at bootcamp on their first day with the same expectations. Some of these young men and women step off the bus with their heads filled with dreams of glory, or violence, or the fantasies of adventure and the excitement of life in the military. However, the harsh realities of bootcamp and the tremendous physical and mental effort demanded of them often proves to be too much. Their dreams and fantasies evaporate along with their motivation to become a Marine.

But some recruits enter bootcamp with a different mindset, or if they didn’t arrive with it, at some point a new vision takes over their imagination and captivates their hearts giving them what they need to persevere; a compelling vision of what it means to be a US Marine. This image of who they want to become helps them face the bootcamp experience. They begin to realize why it is worth the struggle and the price being demanded of them. I think it also helps them accept why the whole process is necessary.

As I wrote in the preface, this is a book about the question, Why.  I want you to see who you really are in God’s kingdom purposes and why you should trust and obey Jesus as you follow Him. I want you to understand why you should pour everything you have into being intentional as a disciple of Jesus. The thirteen chapters of this book were written with your journey in mind. I pray that you will find forming in your heart a compelling and sufficient vision of Jesus and of who and what your creator is committed to helping you become.

Nothing this world offers can substitute for living the rest of your life as an intentional disciple of Jesus. I urge you to settle for nothing less than the same relationship with Jesus that His first disciples experienced. Make it your personal goal to hear His voice speaking to you, to learn what He alone can teach you about His kingdom, and to minister with Him in the power of His spirit who fills you. And most of all, seek to worship and love Him with all your heart, mind, and strength. He is worthy of our praise, our devotion, and the sacrifice of our lives. He will surely show you the Father’s wisdom that He become “the first born of many brothers.”