September 8th

A Better Finish

Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts. Colossians 4:7-8

What are you good at? No, I didn't ask you what you are good for; I asked you what you are good at.

Think about your life and find something that you do well, then think back and remember how you became good at that thing. Were you able to figure it out yourself? Did you read a book and master it with a little practice? Or was there someone else who helped you, showing you how to do it?

Chances are very good that, if you really are good at something, someone else had to help you get there. It's just too easy for us to read something and get a mental understanding of the subject, yet lack the practical ability to do what we have learned.

I remember this debate in college as the students looked among the professors for the ones who had actually done the stuff they taught about. They did not want to learn from someone who taught theory; they wanted to learn from someone who had tested theory with practice and could teach from experience.

But our learning goes beyond even this. Sitting under someone with experience is great, but nothing compares to walking with them through the methods they use and submitting ourselves to their hand, letting them craft our own methods after theirs until we, too, are masters.

This is real discipleship, and it's why Paul was not content to just send his letter to the Colossians. He wanted to send it with someone who could demonstrate the things about which he wrote. He wanted to send it with someone who could take the theoretical and make it practical, who could transform students of a letter into disciples of a Way.

Do you have someone in your life who can do this for you? What person has that place in your life, demonstrating the what's, why's, and how's of the Christian life, discipling you into the image of Christ?

And for whom are you doing this? Who are your disciples?

We have a responsibility to learn from others and to find others who will learn from us. This is how the kingdom of God will grow, and how we become more than students-this is how we become disciples.

Prayer Father God,

Thank You for giving us examples of discipleship in Your Word! I want to have those kinds of relationships in my life, but I am not sure how to build them. Please help me to find the right people, and use me to build Your kingdom!

Amen