As most people don’t actually know, I have a writing internship with Adventures in Missions while I am on the field! Which, in short, means I get to work with the marketing department and write a LOT of blogs.
A little bit ago, I got the opportunity to write a piece about discipleship that is going to be apart of a project going to all future world racers! How! Dang! Cool! And I wanted to share it on here because it carries pieces of my race that are near and dear to my heart.
The dictionary definition of the word “discipleship” includes, “one who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another” or “to be a learner.” I find this definition to be sufficient grounding for understanding the word, however the heart of discipleship with Jesus is rooted much deeper. One who seeks discipleship is on the lifelong, uncrowded road to becoming like Christ in everything; no matter the cost and with much grace at hand. Jesus says, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31). A disciple of Christ desires to seek His teachings and live His teachings; both actions are crucial to embodying a life that radiates the character of God.
However, discipleship is not something someone can achieve on their own accord.
“’Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him” (Matthew 4:19-20). Discipleship started with Jesus’ call to a few men to leave their old lives and step into a situation where faith became possible. A chapter later, we find Jesus sitting down with His disciples, the ones who chose to leave the nets of their old lives, teaching them what we call today the Sermon on the Mount. His discipleship of these men began by teaching them the foundation of truth and revelation that the Kingdom of God stands on. Then, it continued in the four gospels where we find that Jesus intentionally brought His 12 disciples to places people were in need. In Mark 8:6-8, Jesus works a miracle by feeding 4,000 hungry people through a few loaves of bread and a couple fish. But He didn’t do all the work on His own.
In verse 7 we read, “…He gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them.” His disciples were invited to be part of the miracle. Jesus discipled his men with empowerment, knowing one day they would be working miracles in His name, but instead dependent on the Holy Spirit. He led with mercy, by example, and with hands full of invitations to join in the building of the Kingdom of God. And not only did the 12 disciples live with Jesus, they lived in community with each other where they learned of the power and grace of God together amongst the failures and mistakes of their own sinful flesh.
The first 3 months of my race, my life took place almost solely in the woods of Gainesville, Georgia. The first few weeks of that time, the thought that dominated my mind was, “Why the heck am I here and not serving the nations like I thought God called me to do?” Gainesville was looking like a waste of time in the light of my small perspective and grand dreams.
Despite my anticipations, those three months were three months of necessary discipleship that the Lord willfully walked me through to prepare me to effectively reach the nations. During these days, I was surrounded by a community that was committed to becoming more like Jesus and calling each other higher to do the same. Some days I had hours on end to sit with Jesus, to learn to recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit, and to read the Bible without any “ordinary life” distractions. I lived with leaders and sat through sessions led by people who carried a well of wisdom sprung from a life of walking through discipleship themselves.
I wouldn’t be able to see God move in the ways I do now if I didn’t start learning to hear His small whispers on the dining patio of Gainesville; I wouldn’t know how to process the hard situations or the unexpected trauma that seems to make its way to the surface of my heart so easily oversees if I didn’t sit in Deon’s teaching about God’s forgiveness or Megan’s teaching on grief. I wouldn’t have figured out how to serve as a member of a team very well if I didn’t first learn how to love my teammates during the weeks we sat across the dining table from each other with no other responsibilities but to be with one another.
My squad and my own self had to become my mission field before the nations ever were. Discipleship, although can sometimes look like slow and insignificant days, is never wasted time. It’s Jesus’ hands, arranging the stones of our lives one by one, season by season, ultimately building His disciples into altars to be used for His glory. The World Race might just be a stone for you, or maybe a few, but it’s part of the groundwork that the rest of your life is going to be built on, all for His kingdom.
