Calling
Mark Yule
Discipleship Pastor
“Discipleship is the recognition of our divine summons to intentionally multiply Christ-like followers; it’s the step of obedience to follow the direct order to “make disciples”; and it’s the daily dependence for God’s empowerment to accomplish this significant task. Discipleship is God’s design. He crafted this faith-building, kingdom-multiplying strategy to build up His body – and it works!” (“What Is Discipleship”, Book 1, page 25)
“I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this is toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” -Colossians 1:25-29
How many followers feel like a fallen leaf being carried along in a street gutter after a rainstorm? Pushed and pulled by outside influences and circumstances, too many are simply going with the flow of the world with little sense of intentional purpose or meaningful significance. But not Paul. This passage from Colossians provides us insight into Paul’s effectiveness as a Disciple Maker and shines light on how we can face our future days with purpose and significance combined with direction and drive.
Four keys are provided for us.
- Paul was sold out to his identity as a servant and a steward.
- Paul was guided by a selfless attitude that glorified Christ.
- Paul was compelled by a God-sized vision to make Christ known to all.
- Paul was fueled by God’s strength as he labored.
This week, let’s examine ourselves to see how we can improve on these four keys by answering these personal questions, especially as it relates to making disciples.
- Do I see myself as a servant? Am I willing to be treated like a servant? How faithful am I in stewarding all that God has provided?
- How much of my time and effort is invested in others and their needs, rather than my own?
- Do I feel like a vital part of God’s plan? What is my part? How can I simply do my part?
- Am I consistently tapping into the Spirit’s power or am I too dependent upon my abilities? How can I consciously connect to God’s power?
PRAYER:
Lord, how often have I fallen short by failing to see what You have planned and purposed for my life? How many times do I make self-serving decisions? And how futile have been my own efforts in light of what could be accomplished through Your power? Lord, in this first week of the year, would You refresh and enlarge my vision. Would You solidify my commitment to be a servant to others and to You. And would you stop me from sputtering ahead depending on my own resources and, instead, fortify me with Your daily enablement. Lord, You have commanded me to make disciples. Now, help me to live out this divine calling with a new sense of excitement and anticipation for what You will do – for Your glory!