True Disciple

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland”
Isaiah 43:19

“If you want to be a true disciple of Jesus, you must do more than invite Him into your heart,” the pastor was saying. “You must follow Him.”

Sitting beside my husband on a rough wooden bench, my thirsty spirit drank in the words. Even though we’d been missionaries in Africa, I felt defeated as a Christian. Perhaps this man with a small New Testament in his hand would be able to give me a clue as to what was lacking in my life.

“To follow Jesus you must leave your self-centered thinking and praying that focuses on, ‘Bless me, help me, give me, come along with me Jesus,’ the pastor was saying. “A follower of Jesus wants to know ‘What is Your will, Jesus? Where are You going today? What are You doing today? I want to be a part of it.’”

Many years later, I still remember those life-changing words. Seeking Christ’s agenda each day, has taken the pressure off me to perform. It has opened the door to many delightful surprises.

For instance, one day I met a woman who was deeply troubled and desperately lonely.

“May I come and visit you?” I asked her. “I have a tape by Billy Graham on loneliness. Maybe we could listen to it together.”

Yes, she wanted that. After we listened to the tape, she asked me, “Do you think I could pray a prayer like that to invite Jesus into my life?”

When I got up in the morning, I had no idea that another soul would be born into God’s kingdom that day. But it was in God’s plan. What a joy to have a small part in it!

Lord Jesus, I want to be alert to what you are doing today. Use me to help someone and to bring you glory. Amen.

By Helen Lescheid
To read more of Helen’s writings go to http://www.helenlescheid.com