The Journey on the Way to Becoming Christ’s Disciple
Discipleship begins with a High Invitation and effected in growth by a High Challenge. The Challenge effect brings with it fear and faith. When we embrace fear, we find ourselves retreating to the place of our invitation – where we first met Christ. It was easy there. I was not required to do anything. It is a cozy culture that I have embraced. But, God has called me to a culture of Discipleship.
Therefore, in my cozy place in denial of my true self, I become frustrated. In frustration, I live in judgement thinking that if I will do the right things it will produce a life of discipleship. Instead, obedience without one to imitate, I begin to live a life according to the law and the law results in death.
Ironically, death is what I really need, but that which I avoid the most. So the life of being frustrated in an attempt to be cozy becomes my life. Now begins an existence of anxiety, depression, discouragement and disparity for all that you need. Then one day I finally give up and die.
I surrender all I have and invite Jesus to take my life. On a trajectory of becoming a disciple, I die continuing to walk through the valley of the shadow of death. No longer frustrated and not willing to be bored, I exchange or am thrust into a place of stress.
This is familiar because it is what happened when I ran into a High Challenge. This time is different because I am connected with a disciple who invests in me giving TIME for God to work; sight in VISION for what the outcome will be; and GRACE that gives me permission to fail. This person was sent by God for such a time as this in my life.
And then it happens. BREAKTHROUGH!!! I am His Disciple. Jesus appeared to me and I am changed forever.
Winning them to Jesus,
Gil
If you would like to view past editions of A Moment with Gil, follow this link: https://beacondistrictnc.org/category/from-the-ds/