The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with the three measures of flour until all of it was leavened. Matthew 13:33

It wasn't much. We were talking about discipleship and membership when he spoke up. "Well, I think of it this way," one long time member said. "When I was a member I came to worship and really enjoyed it. Then I went home and lived my life. Now with discipleship, I come to church and I really enjoy it. But when I go home I discover more Sundays in my week."

Jesus says that the kingdom of heaven is like yeast. It is invisible - hidden in a lot of flour. But as the yeast works, it has incredible impact. The yeast changes, not the nature of the bread, but its shape. The loaf without the yeast is flat - maybe tasty, maybe not. But when the yeast is added and it is active, that flat loaf takes shape and the chewy crust and the soft inside of the bread are brought to a new expression.

Discipleship is like that, as my friend has discovered. It didn't change his worship experience - in his life, that remained positive all along. Nor did it change his identity - he is the same man. But it added something special to his life - more "Sundays in my week."

Jesus called real women and men into discipleship as an invitation to adventure. The promise was not that the journey would always be easy. The promise was that it would be the best journey they could ever imagine. They would find the presence of God as near as the air they breathe. They would discover a community of shared faith that would be resilient and strong - because it would be a shared trust in God. And they would have eternal impact. We, twenty centuries later, are still experiencing the after shocks of that first Pentecost!
So, if you're looking for a few more Sundays in your week, then Church is the right place for you. If you're looking for the Spirit of God to cause your life to rise with eternal worth, growing and learning as a disciple of Jesus of Nazareth is the right call for you. And besides, I have yet to see a life that could match it in joy and significance.

Lord Jesus, I want a few more Sundays in my week. So, help me grow in relationship with you and your people. Amen