Recently, I had the privilege of taking my grandson, Jack, on a seven-mile hike up Mt. Kit Carson. He and I enjoy a wonderful relationship in which we meet each week to discuss what he has been reading in God’s Word, to pray together, and encourage each other in our relationship with Christ.
As we were hiking on Mt. Kit Carson, I explained to Jack that much of discipleship occurs simply by spending time with each other—like on our hike. We can enjoy each other’s company, talk about whatever presents itself, bask in the beauty of God’s creation, and glorify God in all we do.
Jack and I talked about how God, in His great love for us, created the fall leaves to change brilliant colors. He did that both for His enjoyment and ours. I also told Jack how every Spring reminds me of God’s faithfulness. No matter how cold and snowy the winter, the plants, trees and flowers bloom again displaying God’s faithfulness.
We tend to think of discipleship as a program instead of a relationship. There’s nothing wrong with having some structure, but the relationship is crucial. Discipleship is more caught than taught. It requires walking with each other through life, modeling for each other what it looks like to follow Jesus.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonian followers of Christ:
“When we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia and Achaia.”
– 1 Thessalonians 4:5-7 NLT
Lord, please use us today to represent You well to others through our life and words!