"All it takes is ONE STEP OF FAITH in Christ and His promises" (end note in the Introduction page of Step One Series handbook)
As I recall how the Lord paved the way for me to accept the calling of discipleship, my heart is so astounded of His great power to change my desires to align with His. Let me start by sharing how I strongly blocked the idea of being a discipler at the start of my walk. During our DGroup goal setting earlier this year, my discipler shared that one of her goals is to have two of her girls to also start their own small group. We were just four then discussing and I was so quick to say this, "Oops, not me! Not yet this year. I think it will be the two of them," (while pointing at the two). Another incident was during our vision setting, the last session of the retreat, I was so hesitant to say what the group was expecting from me. I was so reluctant, so I limited myself to just say, "I want to share more about Him at least to my loved ones." And only two weeks after the retreat, I am eating every word I said.
THE CALL
The retreat ignited the fire in my heart to fully surrender my life to Christ - by saying surrender, I want to live my whole life for Him. I carried this wonderful burden in my heart and everyday, since then, it just wants to burst out! God heard my prayers to use me in any way for His glory. I can't stop talking about and to Him. I was given the privilege to share my testimony to the CCF B1G South Singles Ministry. Then the following day on Sunday service, the message was about discipleship. (I mean, seriously, immediately?) The church was launching its advocacy "Every Member A Discipler" or EMAD. I was so in denial in my seat, whispering to the Lord, "Wait God. Are you speaking to me now."
THE ANSWERED CALL
Before the end of the message, our head pastor announced a 4-day seminar entitled STEP ONE, about equipping individuals on discipleship, which will happen every Tuesday at 7:30 pm. I was enlightened of how God chose people to be His disciples who eventually need to "fish men." (Matthew 4:19) During the closing prayer, no second thoughts, I said yes to the call. I swore to God that I will attend without even thinking the difficulty of going out from work to make it to the 7:30 pm class. I messaged my discipler about my desires and sought prayers as I wanted to do this with the right heart.
THE STRETCH
You have no idea how impossible it is for me to leave work at exactly 6:30 pm. But on all the 4 Tuesdays, I saw how truthful God is to His words. When you obey His will for you, God will surely deliver you against all odds! As He declared in Psalms 50:15, "And call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you shall honor and glorify Me." Recounting the miraculous ways of how I made it to all 4 sessions: 1) my boss was so understanding to release me so early and the cab driver drove fast but safely; 2) my boss went out early and an officemate offered a ride; 3) I was so loaded with work in the morning but I was able to finish just right on time, and the same officemate dropped me off directly at church because I was already 15 minutes late; and 4) my boss was on leave so it was so easy to leave early! Amazing, isn't? Also, we were forced to consume half of our leaves and it was so timely to file it every Wednesday, meaning I could rest the next day after staying late for the series. Praise God indeed!
THE STEP
One important thing I learned in this series is that we are ALL called to disciple - it is a COMMAND. Again I repeat, it's a duty of every single human being on earth, no one is exempted. I have been praying to God to reveal what my life purpose is. Then I stumbled on a devotion by John Piper, who simply explained that we are created for one reason: to live for His glory. (Romans 11:36) Though differently for each of us, the real question is HOW to glorify Him. The series definitely taught me so many things: from correcting my heart in this mission, of where or how to begin my own small group, and the need to do it NOW.
It began with a heart overflowing with Christ's love and it wants to outflow, spreading like virus to those who are empty. Knowing how terrible life on earth and in the afterlife without Christ, I am motivated to find a way to save my loved ones. But God impressed in my heart to not limit myself. He has plans for my family which I am confident of. I am meant for something else. So, I prayed for that first girl. Surprisingly God quickly answered me! She is our intern and when I took courage to ask her if I can minister to her, she cheerfully said yes! On our first encounter I am humbled of how easily she opened her heart to me. I am amazed of how I can see parts of me in her, and as for the differences, I take those as opportunities for me to grow too. The more I got to know her, the more I wanted to see God's transformation in her life - all the more I believe in the power of discipleship. When I invited her to our Saturday worship, hearing her sing loud and seeing her lift her hand, tears dropped my eyes. I had goosebumps. My conviction grew stronger, no doubt on that very moment, GOD IS REAL!
THE NEXT STEPS
Another hair-raising story of God's sovereignty, right after the Step One Series, GLC 1 was starting the next day. It's a program of our church to provide in depth knowledge of God's word. It's a weekly class every Wednesday at 7:00pm. The 7:30pm Step One was already a struggle but amazingly that Wednesday I was forced by my boss to take a leave. My heart is 100% willing but I regretfully belittled the miracles He can do for me. So when I attended the the first day problem free, all by His grace, I know God wanted me to surrender the rest of the days to Him. All I have to do is to study hard, commit to discipleship and trust Him fully. Because surely He is with me. (Matt 28:20). I prayed so hard (until now) for consistency. I asked for an official permission to my boss that I may leave exactly 6:30pm because of this new chapter. And, praise God #100! She was so supportive about it. So the 2nd session last week, I made it to class! (though I was 15 minutes late). There are bumps and obstacles (there will always be), but I am reminded that God created the earth, why would I worry about the road to get there?
I can now attest to what my discipler feels - it's this unexplained great joy in discipleship. How lives are transformed is never because of you, it's about Christ who lives in you - you are just a vessel of that love to come across to someone's heart. However, the big concern is that there so much lost souls and time is running, so the urge to reach out intensifies. Then again, it's not A-Z easy, it takes a lot of time and effort already with one person so the objective is to make your steps count and continue walking straight with the Lord. "Share the One, start with One."
Now that I am accountable to one girl and studying in depth His word, I know everything else will follow. He made all things possible when all I did was answer the call. My prayer is that more people will answer the call of lifelong walk of faith.
"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:20)
All Him, all for His glory.
