Do as He Does

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1, NIV).

Last week we talked about trusting the process. Today we’re going to dive a little deeper and talk about my time as a student, or my apprenticeship, at KORT in Nicholasville. 

My clinical instructor was Matt Lee, a PT in the area that was, and continues to be, well known for his excellence in clinical care. I was prepared in advance that my time as a student would be challenging, but it would set me up for success as a physical therapist.

I recently began reading a book called Practicing the Way, by John Mark Comer. Excellent so far, and one of the things he talks a lot about that has really challenged my thinking is the term apprentice. We’re going to consider this term from both a worldly and Biblical perspective.

Worldview apprenticeship means following, and learning from, a more experienced worker in order to develop new skills in a particular trade. If we shift that to a Biblical perspective, the term is sometimes used synonymously with discipleship, or learning to become more like Jesus.

In my case as a student, I was Matt Lee’s apprentice. I spent every hour in the clinic watching him, talking with him, processing, and learning his clinical practices. The goal was, from a clinical perspective, to look as much like Matt Lee as possible at the end of my 10 weeks.

From a worldview standpoint, 12.5 years into clinical practice, I can say with confidence that my time as an apprentice was successful. But what happens when we shift our definition to a Biblical perspective? That changes the game completely. 

Matt Lee is an amazing physical therapist, but he is just like you and me. Imperfect. Flawed. Broken, and in need of Savior. Enter, Jesus. That’s why the term apprentice carries a significantly different meaning when applied to following Jesus. 

What happens when we step into a process of being an apprentice of Jesus? In Practicing the Way, Comer quotes a lot of Dallas Willard, so I thought it only fitting to take an excerpt from him to describe what being an apprentice, or disciple, of Jesus really means. 

“In the New Testament, discipleship means being an apprentice of Jesus in our daily existence. A disciple is simply someone who has decided to be with another person, under appropriate conditions, in order to learn to do what that person does, or to become what that person is.”1

That’s quite a challenge, isn’t it? But I love it. After reading in the book the other night, I found myself reflecting again on my time as a student. I was so diligent to be engaged in the process of becoming like Matt from a clinical perspective, which led me to asking myself this question: Am I intentional about being an apprentice of Jesus? Because let’s be honest, that carries much more weight than how good a physical therapist I am.

Paul is writing to the members of the church in Corinth when he says in 1 Corinthians 11:1: Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. Simple. Direct. Profound. Not easy. 

Being a disciple, or an apprentice, is much more than just being a follower of Jesus. It’s about doing as He did, practicing His rhythms, including Him (through the presence of the Holy Spirit) in every part of our day, and ultimately, becoming more and more reflective of Jesus.

Perfection is not the goal, but this book has challenged me to pause, and reflect on my daily walk. Are my thoughts, words, and actions growing, changing, and becoming more like Jesus? I am an apprentice. He is my Master. My desire is to always be able to answer with a yes. 

1. The Navigators. “Living as an Apprentice to the Master.” The Navigators, November 29, 2017. https://www.navigators.org/blog/living-as-an-apprentice-to-the-master/.