Read
The story is told that when Berlin was being divided into East Berlin, controlled by the Communists, and West Berlin, part of the free world, a group of East Berliners dumped a whole truckload of garbage on the west side. The people from West Berlin thought they’d pick up all the garbage, put it on a truck, and dump it back on the east side. Then they decided that wasn’t the way to handle it. Instead they filled a dump truck with canned goods and other non-perishable food items, went over to the east side, stacked it neatly, and put a sign beside it. The sign read, “Each gives what each has to give.” 1
The point for us here is clear: We can only give what we have…now, we’re not talking about money or canned goods, but something much greater. You can only lead others to where you have already been. You can’t give your students spiritual depth and understanding if you don’t already have that spiritual understanding. You can only give the discipleship that you already have.
Reflect
But you, dear friends, must continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy faith. (Jude 1:20 NLT)
Respond
One of God’s purposes for you is discipleship. How well are you growing? Are you continuing to advance forward? Are there things in your life that are stunting your growth? What is your plan for discipleship and a closer walk with Christ?
Your thoughts?
Remember
Growing takes time and is a process. God takes seven hours to grow a mushroom but seventy years to grow an oak tree. Which do you want to be?
1John Maxwell, Be All You Can Be (publisher, date, and page unknown).