Introduction

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field.  When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-45 (NIV)

 

In the 26 years I have been a Christian, my faith has been a roller coaster.  In fact, much of my faith walk has mirrored the example in Matthew 13:7 of the seed which “feel among thorns, which grew and choked the plants” because the worries and cares of the world were stronger than my faith (Matthew 13:22, NIV).  Every few years I read “The Cost of Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  The last time I read it last Winter, I spent more time meditating upon two primary concepts in the book: (1) The difference between “Cheap Grace” and “Costly Grace” and (2) the interrelationship of faith and obedience.

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In the first chapter titled “Costly Grace,” the author contrasts the difference between “Cheap Grace” and “Costly Grace.”  Cheap Grace is, in essence, the belief that God’s grace merits nothing on our part but acceptance of Christ’s death on the cross for our sins.  Costly Grace both costs us our lives and offers us the only true life.  According to Bonhoeffer: “only (those) who believe (are) obedient, and only (those) who (are) obedient believe.”  I was convicted at that moment that my struggle with faith was related to my unwillingness to step out in faith.  I began by spending more time reading, praying, and meditating. 

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Bearing in mind that I struggle with the desires of the World, for the first few weeks I half-heartedly prayed to God to help me to want to desire to be obedient.  With time my meditation and prayer became more meaningful and more often and my wife, Rita and I, began to make more decisions based upon faith. 

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More recently, as I was praying to God for guidance and direction, I felt the calling to synthesize my own faith struggles and victories, management experience, and research experience from my PhD in Leadership Studies into a blog on Christian leadership and followership.  My hope and prayer is that this blog will have a positive impact on others who desire to grow in their faith and to integrate it into their personal and work lives. 

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Darren Tune