– Secret Place Insights –
Dear One, here I am, down in the basement, working on sorting through and straightening up every cupboard and box before spring. The first cupboard I open is one housing stacks of unused books, workbooks, notebooks, and guides for teaching 15-Week-Discipleship-Training Classes. The training classes teach how to, in a one-and-one setting, help someone develop a close walk with God.
It has been years since I used this particular curriculum. The odds of using it again seems unlikely. I grab a large-handled, plastic tub and fill it with multiple copies of: The Lost Art of Discipleship, Disciples are Made Not Born, The Master Plan of Discipleship, Lessons in Christian Discipleship, Everyday Evangelism, The Godly Man, The Godly Woman, and a few copies of My Spiritual Notebook. I know of a used bookstore which will be pleased to receive these unopened books.
Before I can call Ron to carry the load upstairs – doubt sets in. Maybe I should keep this stuff? Maybe God will want me to teach the class again? Much of this material is no longer available. The Texas ministry which compiled this study does not stock it any longer. They say most of today’s large denominations are no longer interested in learning how to disciple, in-depth, one-on-one.
A few days later, I find myself wondering if what I am doing with my life is what I should be doing? Friends my age keep telling me, again and again, that I do too much, that I should be taking it easy. I do get tired, terribly tired, but I cannot believe them. Should I? Every since I began helping others grow in their relationship with Christ I have told myself that when I die, no matter what my age, I want there to be another discipleship meeting on my calendar. I want to die with discipling boots on…so to speak.
I am in need of confirmation.
“Lord, I want to know if what I am doing is what You desire? Please send me confirmation… confirmation which will leave no doubt about what You want me to do with what time I have left. Please make Your will perfectly clear.”
While at the grocery store, I run into a woman who is not from our church, but in the 90’s had taken one of my 15-week-classes. We are surprised and delighted to see one another again. After talking for sometime, she says, “I want to tell you that that class I took from you kick-started my Christian life, and I have been building on it ever since. I am newly retired, and yesterday I spent the entire day praying. Now that I have more time, I want to discover what God would have me do with it.”
After she mentions her passion for cooking, I quickly share a ministry idea for mentoring middle-school-age girls while teaching them how to cook. At the thought of the idea, she bubbles with excitement. When we part, I leave with the firm belief that I have received my confirmation. Keep on keeping on.
I had not seen the woman in years, and the times that I had, she had never spoken of her ever growing faith and desire to serve. It was apparent to me that my long ago call to make disciples had not been rescinded.
While pushing the grocery cart to my car, I am reminded that no where in the New Testament is there any mention of retiring from the Great Commission. It appears that this teacher is to follow her student’s example.
“Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD! Psalm 27:14
Blessings,
Susanne
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