You’ve heard the old expression, “There’s more than one way to skin a cat.”
How that saying ever even came into existence is the stuff of nightmares, I’m sure of it. Even with my widely-known disdain for felines, I still shudder to think about why in the world someone would skin a cat, let alone conjure up multiple ways to get the job done. It’s just one of the weirdest, yet unquestioned expressions we humans seem to be okay with.
But therein lies an important issue: It’s the issue of “How?” Let’s think about that for a second. (Not the cat part, just in general.)
No matter who you are, there’s a thing you want to do, or become, or accomplish, or a place you want to get to physically, or socially, or financially, or spiritually. If you don’t get the How into a chokehold and wrestle it into submission, then whatever that aspiration is will certainly remain just that: an aspiration.
When we get into the details of How, we begin to lay out what steps are needed in order to move from here to there. It’s intimidating at first, but only at first — once you begin to lay it out, it quickly begins to feel less like an ogre and more like an opportunity.
Where have you found the How to be a daunting barrier, and how have you tackled it bit-by-bit in order to shrink it down to size?
Here are some “what’s” that are currently a part of my life that have been (or need to be) given “how’s” in order to see progress:
Replacing/updating a broken door handle on our front door (and repainting the door while we’re at it).
Strengthening (ongoingly) my vocabulary and understanding of systematic theology.
Losing an average of 1 lb. per month over the span of 2026.
Increasing and improving my blog posting rhythm.
Budgeting finances in order to reinforce strong habits, avoid debt, and bless others.
Establishing a cadence of grandchild interaction so that we are a regular part of her life (with more to come).
I’d love to hear about your How’s and what you’re learned along the journey of skinning cats.
Have you ever been in one of those escape rooms where you and some friends are locked in a room and given an hour to figure out how to get out? There’s typically some scene or theme that you’re immersed in while you’re presumably surrounded by clues, objects, and mind puzzles that–when solved–reveal exactly how to escape the room, and you’re challenged to emerge victorious over this kooky scene in 59:59…59:58…59:57…59:56…59:55…
I’m not great at all in those escape rooms. Setting aside being locked in a room and unable to escape, my focus goes instead to the people I’m with, what they’re doing, and what they think about how to get out of this stereotypical science lab, old-timey apartment, or pirate ship…wherever we may be trapped.
If you’re reading these words and you’re a follower of Jesus like I am, you can probably finish this statement by Jesus–it’s one of the final things He instructed His followers to do: “Go ____ _______ __________…”
Did your mind fill those blanks in automatically? If not, it’s okay. Keep reading. What you read might shed some light on those in your life who know what goes in those blanks.
I want to point something out that I’m sure I’ve brought up before. And if I haven’t done this clearly in the past, I want to invite a serious consideration on your part and an actual response to what you’re reading here. You can leave a comment below, text me, call me, or email me. Seriously.
So here’s the thing I want to point out: Even though Jesus told us clearly to make more disciples in the world, He left out the “how” to make disciples. Have you ever noticed that? It was almost as if He told us exactly what He wanted His followers to be doing while He’s gone for a quick break to sit at the right hand of God the Father, just before His return for His followers–but never specifies how He expects us to make disciples. Does that seem odd to anyone else?
We have nothing to go on but the example He set. (Good thing that’s enough.)
So for the rest of this blog post, we’re going to take a close look at the how. How did Jesus conduct Himself throughout His public ministry? These observations will shape the blueprint by which we live our daily lives. I understand that this is granular and in some places nebulous or perhaps redundant, but I also think it’s so very important.
Here’s the scene on the Mount of Olives those approximate 2,000 years ago:
Jesus: “Therefore go and make disciples.”
Disciples: “Okay. But how?”
Jesus: “Figure it out.”
Obviously, I’m taking some liberty with the actual interchange there, but without a clear manual handed over to the followers of Jesus in that moment, they were left to simply figure it out. What they knew of Jesus, and the promise of the coming Holy Spirit would have to be enough. Good thing it was. And is.
What do you know of Jesus? Take a minute or two right now and think it through. Make a mental (or actual) list and get as specific as you can. List the things you know for sure about Jesus. Once you do that, ask yourself: Where is the chapter and verse that goes along with each of those items on the list? Or have I simply made assumptions or believed what’s been told to me or handed down by tradition?
If you’re a follower of Jesus, you’re only going to emulate the image of Jesus that your mind and heart hold. You cannot do otherwise. So who is He? And more to the point: Who is He to you?
My list: Compassionate. Methodical. Articulate. Authoritative (but in a comforting way). Tender. Firm. Relaxed. Unhurried. Flexible. Powerful. Purposeful. Loving. Focused. Gentle. Caring. Giving. Merciful. Approachable. Wise. Lovingly confrontational, Welcoming. Willing.
Those are just a few of the words that come to my mind when I think of words to describe Jesus. He has been all of those things in my life, as well as throughout the gospels.
So through the power of His own promised Spirit living within me, it becomes entirely possible and probable that as I live my life, I exhibit these traits as well. Not all of them perfectly at every moment, but as I continue to submit my life to Him, I am incrementally growing in all these ways. And as I seek for my life to be one that makes disciples, I am able to more clearly “figure it out” day by day.
Answer this: What’s the “how” of making disciples, in your view?
jerrythinks. 