If you read the Chronicles of Narnia, there may be some characters that remind you of the people in your neighborhood, at work or in church. Or yourself. I was amazed by how much I was like Eustace Scrubb, the insufferable boy. In the book Voyage of the Dawn Treader, he became a dragon and eventually was “undressed” and washed by Aslan, the Lion, and returned to a boy.
If you knew me before I became a believer or the early years of being a believer, I most likely owe you an apology — “Sorry that I’ve been pretty beastly.” I was so prideful that some people who cared about me and wanted to help me grow realized they didn’t have the skill yet, so they could only leave me be.
Just as Eustace was tortured by being a dragon, I was boiled by my wretchedness. When I saw my disgusting reflection, I was not certain that the LORD was still with me.
Though some ceased to advise me, my spiritual father didn’t.
“What did you see in me that you didn’t give up on me like others did?”
“It was not what I saw in you. It was a test and you passed.”
What test did I pass?
“It may be they will listen, and every one turn from his evil way, that I may relent of the disaster that I intend to do to them because of their evil deeds. (Jeremiah 26:3)”
It struck me that the LORD has been undressing me. He has been sending His faithful servants to speak to me, not holding back a word. Though I had not listened, He continued to speak till I listened. His Word is like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces (Jeremiah 23:29.) His Word shattered my scales.
I think I passed a heart test which shows that I could hear Him. For He truly gave me a new heart. The LORD speaks through His Word and through His people. The new heart should hear my God through His Word and through His people. I can’t imagine, as a young disciple, how difficult it would be to me to grow and to remain on the right path without guidance from the older ones.
Over the years, I’ve learned to be constantly surrounded and sharpened by other disciples.
Over the years, I’ve learned to be constantly surrounded and sharpened by other disciples. That’s why I desire to start a discipleship training program with my spiritual father Mark and my comrades in Christ, Cheris and Jem.
This training program is primarily to study His Word and apply the lessons in daily life. What makes it more effective is that we get to live together and therefore are exposed to and held accountable by each other.
This training program is primarily to study His Word and apply the lessons in daily life. What makes it more effective is that we get to live together and therefore are exposed to and held accountable by each other.
If I aim to make disciples as Jesus Christ commanded, I have to be one of them first. I want to lay myself down for others in areas that are difficult to me. I want to challenge myself to serve others humbly and love others graciously. I want to see how God plants and builds us up as we seek Him for favor and corrections.
If this program calls you, please let us know. If it is encouraging to you, please share it with your family, friends and church. I am looking forward to seeing more hearts pass the hearing test through this program.