Perspectives
on the Landscape of Life
By
DJ Note
“Therefore
Go…”
The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,
so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and
opens my understanding to his will. Isaiah 50:4 (New Living Translation)
Have
you ever watched someone advise, encourage, or in some way disciple another
just think to yourself, “I wish I were more like that” or “why can’t I come up
with the right words to say at the right time?” Have you ever stepped away from
a conversation wondering what good you might have accomplished? Or kicked
yourself because you felt you said too much—or not enough? Have you ever
offered advice only to ask yourself, “Was I truly listening to the Spirit or my
own runaway enthusiasm?”
If so, then I’d say you’re on the right track. The discipleship track, that is, because your heart is in the right place. Webster defines disciple this way, “One who believes in and helps disseminate (scatter widely) the teachings of a master.”
One
of the teachings Jesus freely modeled was compassion, a ‘sympathetic consciousness of
others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it.’
Happily,
I witness compassionate discipleship demonstrated in the store almost daily.
People helping people with some gesture of kindness—a hug laced with hope from
the Word, with shared tears, an encouraging pat on the back, with a fervent
word of prayer. It warms the heart to experience God’s people accomplishing His
work, one soul at a time.
A
while back, I witnessed complete strangers retreat to the over-stuffed chairs
at the front corner of the store. With hands grasped, they knelt before the
throne of God in quiet prayer. All it took was, “Can I pray for you?” and two
hearts met in agreement before the Lord. What a simple yet profound moment.
Time
and again I see compassionate disciples share their knowledge of the Word and
their love of the Savior as they wrestle with current events, a family
situation, or a difficult theological issue.
Discipleship lives!
What
a wonder, this Christ connection is. I’m sure you’ve experienced it. That
miraculous connect we feel with another believer because of the blessed blood
that spilled from the cross.
The
Great Commission sums it up. "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very
end of the age." (Matthew 28:18b-20)
The next time you question whether
you’ve said too much or not enough, whether your words were just right, or your
advice was adequate; remember, the journey of discipleship begins with
compassion and finds its stride in genuine love.
So don’t give up. Keep at it. It may be
the smallest gesture of kindness, or the simplest word of encouragement
exhibited in Jesus’ name that connects the dots for a struggling soul.
Therefore go…you may be the only
glimpse of Jesus someone catches today.
D.J. Note writes from Eagle Point, Oregon.