Discipleship is Jesus's plan to change to world. He created Adam and Eve and said "be fruitful and multiply". Its astonishing that Jesus could have easily created every single human being from the dust, however he decided to give us the opportunity to come together and literally create new life just as he did. And I feel that's what d ship is all about. Creating new life that reflects who Jesus is and in that, filling the world with the glory and presence of the Lord. The fact is that were were created for dominion on the earth and the earth to be filled with his glory!
For the last 3 years I have been intentionally disciplining my little brother Joel and I have been able to see life created in his life and mine due to the goodness of the Lord! And now we are living together! This next season is going to be the greatest experience of our lives. Its amazing to see how the reward Abraham sought after his obedience was countless descendants, sons and daughters! And after investing into Joel over the last few years I can agree 100% that having sons and daughters who radically love Jesus is the best reward out there and is what were were meant to do! I say this a lot, but if I were to take everything I have every done in my life (from evangelism, to healing, to all these incredible things) the one thing I could say I have accomplished and am so blessed by is my relationship with Joel and seeing him become the man he is today!
So I wanted to give some advice on things we have learned over the years that have worked in making our relationship blossom and brag on Joel a little bit for how he has been so easy to teach and walk with!
5. Always listen
So many times I would get phone calls from Joel because he wanted to tell me the amazing revelation he was having. At first, being kinda prideful, I would listen but not take anything away from it because it was stuff I had already heard before. Then I got the revelation that he wasn't telling this to teach me, but so he can process it himself. I told the Lord I'm sorry and ever since then it has been incredible! Regardless of what someone is saying in any situation, people want to be listened to and when we come in with the mentality of asking "how is this benefiting me?" we are not loving people, but focusing on our own selfish desires. Also listening without thinking what you are going to say next is so important. Listen, process, then respond. When we listen and think of what we are saying next at the same, we actually are trying to obtain attention in a situation in which we are meant to be there for support.
4. Always be available
Once again, being available at anytime, even if that means not going to be until 2 when having a 8 o'clock class the next morning, is so important in d ship. Obviously we need to be responsible, but being available for someone who needs you is essential in d ship. Allowing your disciple to invade your life brings freedom and trust to them. As I told Joel he can come to Norman anytime, call me anytime, text me anytime, I took responsibility for making sure he is going through everything in life as a follower of Jesus. Yes, Joel's made mistakes and so have I over this time, but as I opened my life to him, he opened it to me, and now those mistakes are now issues of the past due to the openness of our relationship.
3. Be real
I love how me and Joel can be real with each other! If he is out of line, I tell him and the best part about that is he is so quick to repent and move forward! Joel is the most obedient person I know. If I tell him to do something, he does it. I am so thankful the Lord has entrusted me with his life, so that he can become more like Jesus everyday!
2. No Expectations
This is something I'm still learning, but if I put expectation on our relationship, I am robbing Joel of the freedom he deserves. If I expect Joel to complete a through e every week, I am trying to bound him to my own law, and that's not love. Everyday I expect Joel to walk out in who he is, but if I get disappointed, or angry if he doesn't do something, I am not loving him like Jesus would. I've learned as I put less expectation on him, he actually walks in more freedom and
1. Phileo
Phileo means "brotherly love". Life is so easy when two people love each other with the love of Jesus and from that grow more like him. If it was not for the love of Jesus inside of us, our relationship would be nothing. I wouldn't know who I was, he wouldn't know who he was, and combining that would be a big problem. Jesus wants us to love people like he loves people and that's why we are placed into families, so we can be close and express that love toward each other. The church is the hope of the world because we have an opportunity to love each other like Jesus did and through that transform any environment we are in. I have had people come up to me and Joel and be blown away just by looking at us, how much we love each other. When love isn't contained, it cant help but be seen in any type of relationship.
I hope this gave you all revelation on what d ship means and how when it is ground solely in the love of Jesus, discipleship becomes the best thing we can do with our lives!
No comments:
Post a Comment