Beyond Discipleship to Relationship

I was in church all my life and I was lonely. I had to decide to do something about it because no one was going to do it for me. It was a gradual change for me; it took a while, certainly not overnight. Now, I can look back and see that it was not until I got into the Word, studying for myself what it said instead of taking somebody else’s (preachers and teachers alike) word for it. I was lonely until I started participating with people who were like what I wanted to become. I began taking responsibility for my own growth and letting people help me. I had to shed attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors as I became aware that I was hindering me. I had to practice being what I wanted to become. Peter ends his second letter saying, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). I know that this grace is God’s special favor. God allows us to walk in his favor.

Cut Off but Grafted In

To become mature Christians we must be implanted into the tree of life. We must be grafted in Jesus. Our faith is what grafts us in. This whole idea of being grafted in came to me from reading Romans 11:11-24. It talked about how the Gentiles came to know salvation despite their transgressions. Thinking about being broken and repurposed made me revisit this narrative account. Paul describes the process of salvation, which helps us to envision our purpose, how we fit, and where we fit in.

We may find ourselves outside of our biological families but grafted into the fellowship of believers in Christ. This is disciple making. Somebody shared with you; they listened to you. You allowed yourself to be the branch abiding in, attached to, grafted in another lifestyle that fit your purpose. When we disciple others and mentor them, we do not know what will be produced. We plant the seeds, another waters and God gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). We do not know the outcome, but we must be obedient to spread the Word. When we refocus on a mission from the Lord, we see our brokenness differently. It becomes a seed to be nurtured. Our brokenness is an opportunity for a more seasoned saint to escort us through our current situation toward our destiny. Being broken later gives us something to use to connect with someone else to usher them to a seat of salvation and peace in knowing Jesus. God’s promises are irrevocable and time will prove it. Build slowly and grow through this season to the next. Cut yourself off from sin and attach yourself to Him.

Personal Point to Ponder

Grafting and grace … what are they to you?

“I want to grow.”

Discipleship is a choice that individuals make to live in a Christ-like manner and churches must provide support for those persons. My understanding is that the call to discipleship is personal whereas disciple making is concerned with reaching others so they also grow in relationship with Christ. Discipleship is like an entry level into the process of maturing as a Christian where one’s personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ develops. Every process has steps and takes time; a process is sequential and must be intentional. You have to be conscious of what you are doing, it does not just happen. Simply put a disciple is a learner in the process of becoming spiritually mature. Consequently, I surmise that a Christian disciple is a follower of Jesus Christ and student of the Word of God. When the disciple not only nurtures his/her relationship with Christ but also engages others in becoming more Christ like, he/she becomes a disciple maker.

BROKEN PIECES

Anyone born has been broken at one time or another. Though you have been broken down in your past that does not necessitate you will continue to live as a broken vessel. The Lord is able to graft you back into fellowship and sweet communion with the Holy Spirit. You may be feeling like somebody’s leftovers. There are times when you may have felt like what you had to offer had no value or was not valued. Did you know that leftovers have value? You may be thinking that your turn will never come. Do you realize that seasons do change? There are shifts in seasons so be encouraged. If you feel like you have been used and abused, please know that clay can be reshaped. If you believe that you have no purpose, begin to understand that you do. Simply put, you are now repositioned to uncover that purpose. Know that broken pieces can be repurposed. You may be a broken branch, however you can be implanted or grafted into the tree of everlasting life. However, you should not feel like you have to do it on your own; a branch does not graft itself. We will explore different examples of brokenness knowing that everybody can be ushered through the process of being restored to wholeness. It is the Lord’s will that none will perish. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

Shifts in Seasons

When times get a little more difficult than at other times, we must trust God more. That does not mean it will be easy to learn to depend on God’s promises more and more. A lady told me once that she had been praying often for more patience. She talked about so many times when she just needed more patience. The more she talked the Spirit in me prompted me to tell her that her continual prayer was being continually answered. How can you get better at something without opportunities to practice it?