I really hate that show. I mean it, I really hate bully’s and that is exactly what Trump does on that show, he bully’s people and what is worse, those people choose to let him do it. That is willing slavery. That is one view of the Master/Apprentice relationship. Trump would have been a good slave owner and his campaign shows it.
Sadly, we do the same thing in our spiritual life. I have heard so many sermons and been to so many churches where the point of each sermon is how sinful we are, how lost we are, how badly we need to follow the rules, enslave ourselves to the Master. That is the legalistic view of our relationship with God. We are his slaves. I’m sorry, I have no use for a life of that sort of slavery.
Instead, it dawned on me that there is another version of Master/Apprentice. That is the traditional view, one Christ would have known, where a new student attaches themselves to a master tradesman in order to learn the trade. I love this version. To sit at the feet of a true master has been my honor in martial arts. It is a joy to learn that way, to let the Master guide your hands and your thoughts and your actions until you achieve mastery.
This is what we are called to do as Christians. We are called to be Apprentices to the Master. And what is the craft we are learning? It is the craft of Love. Love for self, neighbor, and God. So, this is a love affair with learning. Doesn’t that feel better, to know that we are students, not slaves? And, don’t forget that the goal of being an apprentice is to become a master yourself. How are you doing? Are you learning your craft? Will you become a master? I’m gonna keep trying, how about you?
TMM