Is there someone in your life you wish you could see at eye level?
An interesting thing the Lord has been teaching me up to this point and probably for the rest of my life, is seeing people at eye level.
Specifically now more than ever, God is giving me the opportunity to disciple the team of men I’m leading at eye level. 7 different personalities, 7 different men. However one in Christ, so there’s understanding that can be attained. But the process is tricky
For the last two months it’s been an introduction, but now it’s a time to root out things that aren’t kingdom, and plant things that are kingdom. And in doing that I find myself constantly humbled, because I’m reminded that love “does not insist on its own way.” Many times the things I’ve tried have fallen flat, because I didn’t listen and get into the lives of these men. They’ve excelled at things I haven’t, walked through things I haven’t, talked to people I haven’t, seen God move in ways I haven’t, view a certain dimension of God more valuable than I do.
In this, they’ve taught me to be fully reliant on the Lord, to seek out counsel, be willing to sit with no agenda, be okay with saying nothing, to just listen, and being present.
You know one perfect image of how discipling at eye level can look like, is a trail walk.
Just a little ago, our Squad, (squad C) went to Seth Barnes house, founder of Adventures in Missions, and we got the opportunity to just walk and dream.
He took a smaller group within the squad and we went on a little walk. We followed him and enjoyed the sights of tress, flowers, streams, and a river. Throughout the walk he gave stories of his life on how saying yes to God changed his life and areas where’s he’s failed. Which is super humbling and encouraging, because we can know that God doesn’t give us the boot for messing up. He actually says to get back up, and walk confidently in His Grace.
As we got to the final destination of the walk. We found ourselves at the top of this hill, with a wonderful sun shine, a sweet breeze, and some cows. And Seth just began to ask us about our dreams for our lives. And then we prayed for each others dreams, some known, some unknown.
Then on our way back he stopped and told us to ask the Lord which 3 He wanted to lead the next round of racers on the trail. And so we did, that was it. A hand off, a picture of discipleship.
Call to Action:
Ask the Lord how to be a disciple maker and/or be discipled better. Love to hear any things you learn on the journey.
Yes Katie!! This is great that Holy Spirit is highlighting this to you!! And truth is that you are a woman of God and Christ is being formed in you. And those things are what the enemy wants to deceive us into thinking we are ,but we as believers our goal is the fruits of the spirit. Ya and I just pray for your mind that it be overcome by His Spirit that has captured your mind for his kingdom!! Thanks for the encouragement
Yo Jenny this is fire and makes me smile… I remember your time with us, and all that you brought. Thanks for the encouragement, yes the leadership compels me to continue submitting to Christ. So good
Hey Brandon, This is a good word!
“….root things out that aren’t Kingdom, and plant things that are Kingdom.” That resonates.
I’ve been picking up tons of little acorns in our yard lately that fall like rain from the aged oak tree. They are so thick on the ground, I literally walk on a solid bed of them. Because I let them sit in one area for a few weeks before getting them gathered, those have begun to sprout – one little tendril from each nut that attaches itself to the ground, preparing to dig deep roots through the winter months in hopes of survival come spring. If I had cleaned these up a few weeks ago, they would’ve easily swept up into my bucket.
To me, the sea of thousands of these in my grass are a nuisance, a bit like pulling weeds in the summertime. And I ask myself what it is the Lord has to teach me as I work a little harder with this abundant crop of acorns this year that I left sitting a bit too long. And I hear God remind me of the weeds and nuts and debris that I have in my own heart. He desires to clean all that up as well, if I will let Him, give Him full access to my heart, let HIm dig deep. And like these acorns, if I let that tendril of selfishness, pride, argument, pretension take root and begin to dig, well, it’s much harder to clean it out than if I just toss it away, take it captive at the very first thought.
Your thoughts here encourage me to keep rooting out what needs to go and ask the Lord to replace it with what He desires to plant in my heart: the indwelling of His Spirit that gives life.
Thanks, brother – love you! Can’t wait to see you in a couple weeks!
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Brandon! I love that you are learning this! You can learn things from every person as long as we are open to it. Seeing people at eye level is exactly how you stay open. I know that y’all taught me so much when I was squad leading y’all, so keep staying open to those that you are leading because they have a ton to teach you as well! Also making disciples is so in your nature Brandon, sometimes I think you don’t even realize when people are looking to follow you and learn from you! Keep growing and leading by example brother!