In every discipling relationship I engage in, I desperately want to witness life change – preferably significant life change. Each time I meet with the guys I’m connecting with, I look for every sign of positive growth. Is the conversation deeper than the last time we met? Do their prayers sound more passionate? Are they enjoying scripture more? Are they intentionally engaged in acts of service?

When I see what I deem as growth, inwardly I celebrate and at times pat myself on the back. When I don’t see what I deem as growth, I might get frustrated and discouraged. Often times it even leads me to long periods of prayer telling God what he needs to be doing on my behalf so that I’ll see the growth that I want to see.

STOP!

Why this desire on my part to see growth? Why do I think that I know what growth even looks like?

I recall a situation where someone I had met with was moving out of the city. We had connected for about a year and I honestly felt that the life change I was hoping for never materialized – and now he was leaving. I chalked it up to a good but not significant experience and moved on. Six months after he left he called me. He thanked me for the huge impact that I had had on his life and that he had already rallied a few guys around him for the purposes of discipleship – and he was leading the group!

That was five years ago. And to this day he continues to intentionally build into the lives of others. He loves God passionately, engages with scripture regularly, and leads his family and business with integrity. He has every reason available as to why he is too busy to seek out other guys to lead. Yet something profound happened to him in our time together. I didn’t witness it when I wanted to, and yet God was doing an amazing work in his life.

I have chosen to intentionally build into the lives of others. To go the distance. Life-on-life. Long-haul stuff. Yet in the course of each relationship, I need to continually remind myself that I am simply called to be obedient to each relationship. Whether someone “gets it” in the end is not my decision or responsibility. I can not live for the accolades of others. I need only live for the affirmation of Jesus: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Jesus said “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, therefore go and make disciples…” Matthew 28:18-20. The authority is Jesus’, mine is discipleship. Jesus causes the life change, I’m simply the instrument he uses. I need to relax and just do what I’m called to do. Life change is not my responsibility. “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” Jesus said. That’s the life I want to live.

Stay faithful. Stick to the course. God will work in ways that we can never fathom.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

Blessings . . . Matthew