discipleship carries an option
Brooke and I were reading our devotional this past week and this really hit me because of what we’re called to do. These are two different thoughts from the devo by Oswald Chambers:
“One life wholly devoted to God is of more value to God than one hundred lives simply awakened by His Spirit” – Oswald Chambers
“Wholly devoted” vs “simply awakened” (there’s a sermon in there!)
“Unless the worker lives a life hidden with Christ in God, he is apt to become an irritating dictator instead of an indwelling disciple. Many of us are dictators, we dictate to people and to meetings. Jesus never dictates to us in that way. Whenever Our Lord talked about discipleship, He always prefaced it with an “IF,” never with an emphatic assertion – “You must.” Discipleship carries an option with it.”
We have the high challenge of preaching God’s word in such a way that it casts a compelling enough vision for students that they would WANT to be a disciple of Jesus. This sobers me because just because I’m preaching doesn’t mean students are being discipled.
My job is not to dictate God’s Word but to LIVE IT first, then preach it in such a way that provokes/prompts discipleship in our students hearts. In my mind, that’s different than telling student what they NEED to do, or what they SHOULD do.
I believe this generation WANTS to opt-in to God’s call on their life but they also don’t want to be CORNERED into it.
Sometimes us preachers have a way of making God’s amazing unchanging Word BORING or MUNDANE even though we know it’s not. After this devo I was challenged to work harder, longer, prayer more, study more or do whatever it takes to disciple as Jesus discipled.
Are you committed to doing that for yourself…and your students?
Hey DC…
I really love this post… made me think about what i’m learning down here in good old Mississippi. The word commitment has come up a lot this season. We ask our girls… Are you committed to this team? They say yes… but show us otherwise. I read a quote on a starbucks coffee cup
“The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating – in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life.” ~Anne Morris
Made me think have I really been committed to living a live for Jesus? To really be like Him? No… because I have let fear get in the way. I have not been free from my thoughts … I allowed the “barrier” to stay there. Then i watched the service from GCC this weekend… talking about being a fan vs. being completely devoted. I think at times I think I’m completely devoted… then God asks me to jump in the wheel-barrow and i say no way. I’m not ready for that.
I have made a commitment to God to be completely devoted to him… it’s time to stop being just a fan. Time to “LIVE IT FIRST then TEACH to provoke that devoted lifestyle” as you said!
Thanks DC for your fire for Jesus and for your support/encouragement/love! God has blessed you and I continue to pray for you and your ministry! Love you bro.