The Work of Discipling

   As I started this blog I mentioned that I was reading a book and these posts would reflect what I was reading.  This chapter was tough as you will read below.  In fact, I had to read it a couple of times over the last week to really let it set in.  At times I was mad, confused and even relieved.  I know...I am sounding a little bi-polar at the moment.  But I think with this chapter that is what I was feeling.

INITIATING
   So this is the section that really had my emotions rolling.  The author suggested that we have to "discern not just who needs help, but who knows they need help and is willing to receive it.  In general, you don't want to waste time with people who are not teachable."  WHAT???....WASTE TIME WITH PEOPLE???....This was the section that made me mad.  How could we possibly be wasting our time if we are discipling?  Doesn't it say in the Word to make disciples of ALL....  How dare he say not all people are worthy of our time?
   Well, the more I pondered it, the more I understood what he was saying.  As I reflected through my own discipleship I thought about times that I was more accepting of the Word.  There were times in my life that I did not want to hear about what I was doing or what I needed to change.  I wouldn't have accepted anyone telling me anything.  It would have fallen on deaf ears and maybe even sent me more in the wrong direction just because of my rebellious nature.  Then fast forward to when I was really ready to hear what God had to say.  I became hungry for the Word.  Then I was ready.  I had to be in the right place to really be discipled.  Does that mean that I didn't need people around me who were Christians?  Absolutely not.  I still needed people to pray for me, whether I knew it or not. Whether I wanted it or not!
   So what does that mean for us when we are called to disciple others?  What I feel like God was saying to me was this.  Live your life as a testimony.  Let all see what He has done in your life.  This will affect those around you.  Pray for those who are not saved or are living away from God.  Stay in touch with them.  Don't give up on them.  When they are ready for real discipleship you will know. Listen, discipleship is not for the unbeliever.  It is for the one that wants to grow closer to God. Understanding this is where the relief came in.  That actually takes a lot of the "pressure" off discipling.  We don't have to disciple every one we know.  God knows the time, place and person to disciple each of us in His time.