The Details of Discipleship

The best challenge of the week (amidst an array of not inconsiderable challenges) has been a call to consider my petitions to God. Specifically, a call to consider petitioning God for opportunities to disciple others which came from my reading of Mark 4:26-29. I'll be honest; I intentionally avoid praying for this, because I know from experience that He'll give it to me, and it scares me witless.

I've been a Christian for some time. I've walked in valleys and been in battles, and emerged wounded but joyful, with Jesus Christ as my delight. But frankly, after ten years of being a Christian, I still lack the confidence to mentor and encourage newer Christians. I lack confidence in my communication skills, in my inter-personal skills, in my sensitivity and likability and in my ability to be compassionate. This is because I do a lot of unproductive navel-gazing, rather than gazing on Christ, in whom all my confidence should be lodged. I only share this uncomfortable, humbling information because I suspect we're all the same to a lesser or greater extent, and also because Mark 4:22 reminds me that what is hidden should be brought out into the open, which is a good start on the road to being a mentor.

This is what Mark 4:26-29 says: The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain - first the stalk, then the ear, then the full kernel in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he puts a sickle to it, because the harvest has come.

To the farmer in this parable, the manner in which his wheat grows is a mystery; he plants a seed in the ground, goes to sleep, and in the morning it's grown a little, and it keeps growing to ripeness and fruition. He harvests it in wonder. Jesus reminds us in this story that discipleship is a mystery; who among us has what it takes to be a good Christian? Not one of us; certainly not me. And yet - all it takes to encourage spiritual growth in someone a few steps behind is a small action. A word, a deed. And lo - a miracle! The word or deed sprouts. It grows roots and leaves and becomes something living and beautiful - the kingdom of God coming ever nearer - as the Holy Spirit works in hearts and lives. What a profound mistake, to think that this is a human work; what hubris, to think that it's up to me, and me alone, to effect this change in another's life!

Gulp. Here is what I'll pray for myself this week; that God will humble me and provide me the opportunity to wisely disciple/mentor one other person.