I believe discipleship is faithulness. It doesn't wait for tomorrow or until prayers are answered. It is faithful in the moment right where you are like Zachariah and Elizabeth serving in the temple with unanswered prayers.
I believe discipleship is scary, messy, and full of unknown factors. It takes risks and is dangerous. It is moving forward when things don't make sense and others judge you like Mary and Joseph saying yes to a journey full of suffering and pain in hope of a better future.
I believe discipleship is sitting in the Father's house discussing the Scriptures, asking questions, and challenging the status quo like Jesus as a young boy growing in wisdom and stature with favor before God and man.
I believe discipleship is obedient in the moment like John baptizing Jesus fulfilling righteousness now even as he felt unworthy.
I believe discipleship begins the minute you see Jesus. You get up and go where He goes like John's two disciples the moment they heard, "Look, there is the Lamb of God" and Jesus, "Come follow me and see."
I believe discipleship has movement. It doesn't sit and stay. It gets up and follows Jesus as He goes about the day. It is failing and getting up. It is learning as you go just like the disciples traversing with Him so long ago.
I believe discipleship is life on life. It is a journey not a class, Bible study or course. Look at the disciples, Jesus took them along and trained them through life on life in the little moments learning how to handle the highs and the lows.
I believe discipleship sends even when you don't know what you are doing. It recognizes that the best lessons are caught more than they are taught. It is full of many failures that builds character that strengthens us for our tomorrows.
I believe discipleship carries authority and casts out demons only to release the person to go bear witness immediately to their town. Allowing the changed life to be the billboard that transforms an entire decopolis.
I believe discipleship asks some to stay and releases some to go. Jesus didn't require the man released from demons to stay and learn through life on life because he had already experienced enough life to know the radical miracle of peace which surpasses understanding actively at work in him. His transformation would communicate more now.
I believe discipleship understands that with one you listen, another you tell, another you show, another you remind, and to another you read.
I believe discipleship will read the mood of the people and seek to meet that need. Jesus modeled reading the crowd. He spoke to them in the ways they would understand. He saw the one and met the one right where they were at while teaching the crowd so the ones who had ears to hear would understand.
I believe discipleship is fighting for justice when accusers abound like when Jesus crouched and drew on the ground.
I believe discipleship doesn't shame. It is willing to bow and draw in the dirt while those present consider their own sin and gives them opportunity to walk away.
I believe discipleship breaks rules and tradition. It talks theology with women and even shares a cup of water with a Samaritan.
I believe discipleship does not look at gender, tradition, culture or race as reasons not to discuss theology as you pass by the way. It meets each person right where they are at.
I believe discipleship allows women to run and tell others immediately about what they have seen and heard becoming eye-witnesses so all in town can come see and believe for themselves.
I believe discipleship releases. It never hoards. It gives and gives trusting the Holy Spirit will have His way and guide in all truth as the believers walk along the way. Consider Jesus sending the disciples out among wolves.
I believe discipleship is exhilarating because it can see a new life transformed like the demonic in his right mind, the healed mother from fever, a brother risen from a tomb.
I also believe discipleship is terrifying because it can see new life transformed like the demonic in his right mind, the healed mother from fever, a brother risen from a tomb.
I believe discipleship is never neat and tidy. It waits. It longs. It hopes. It dreams.
I believe discipleship celebrates with songs and thanksgiving when one grasps a simple truth and walks forward in understanding.
I believe discipleship is intentional and unintentional. It is full of preparation and study of the Scriptures in times of peace so a truth may be activated when least expected.
I believe discipleship is gathering where other believers gather to be strengthened and encouraged to spur one another on.
I believe discipleship happens where ever I go or I am because HE IS moving in and through me even when I am unaware.
I believe discipleship does not have a time table, schedule or meeting place. IT IS because HE IS I AM.
I believe discipleship is presence. Presence is powerful and can speak volumes even when words cease.
I believe in discipleship. Do you?
By: Tara Rye
