Discipleship Point and Prayer
FRIDAY'S BIT OF
DISCIPLESHIP
The leader should be the example of openness and confession. A worldly approach to leadership operates on the idea that you cannot lead if people know your weaknesses or your failures. In the kingdom of God there is an entirely different value system. But we can forget that the leader who will be the most respected will be the leader who is completely honest, forthcoming and vulnerable. Obviously, he or she should not use every setting to list shortcomings, but a leader should be known as one who brings where he or she really is out into the light. When confession is coupled with repentance and when repentance is clearly seen, credibility is gained, not lost.
p.111, The Prideful Soul’s Guide to Humility, Fontenot/Jones
Humility Prayer
Father God, whether I am leading or following, let me lead by example of admitting mistakes, showing vulnerability and displaying both confession and forgiveness. I trust you to defend me as necessary and lift me up when I have fallen. Amen.
Learning the Point of Being a Disciple
As a disciple, realize that Jesus has called you to:
- be a fisher of men (Matthew 4:19)
- in whatever you are doing (Colossians 3:17)
- as you are going about life (Matthew 28:19)
Remember that like any maturing process, people are sometimes ready to learn and other times not. Some can learn from others’ mistakes; some only learn after going through their own failures. Keep expectations appropriate for those you’re in discipleship with – and remember that the Holy Spirit is the primary discipler; you (plural) are His vessels.
Discipleship Prayer
Father God, as your disciple following in the footsteps of the Peter and Andrew, James and John, teach me how to fish for men in whatever I am doing as I go about life. In Your name I pray. Amen.
My Gratitude Journal
The Unstable Visitor
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One Sunday we had an unhinged individual come at me (pastor) combatively during a worship service. Voice tone and body language indicated high stress, producing a fear among many others gathered. Whatever triggered the situation, forcible removal seemed a dangerous option. The pain of the visitor was palpable; so was the anxiety in the room. Uneasy myself, I sensed that God was OK with what was happening and that enabled me to relax. So, being the target of the tirade, I set the sermon aside and sought to provide a gentle, compassionate setting for this person on the verge of a breakdown. Eye to eye, mere feet apart, we walked it out together. Eventually the person settled down and chose to exit the sanctuary escorted by a few of our regular attendees. Joy in this situation took at least two forms. One was relief on the back side of a fearful moment. The second was coming alongside someone so that they were not alone in their trauma. It is the “I’m glad you were with me” type of joy. Real joy for sure.