Selfish Disciple

 

Jonah 1:5-6

“Then the sailors became afraid and every man cried to his god, and they threw the cargo which was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone below into the hold of the ship, lain down and fallen sound asleep. So the captain approached him and said, “How is it that you are sleeping? Get up, call on your god. Perhaps your god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish.”

Jonah 4:11

“Should I not have compassion on Ninevah, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as any animals?” 

Matthew 16:22-23

“Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.’”

These two words came to me randomly as I was getting ready for the day. I was thinking how well of a disciple I had been in terms of interceding for my leaders and their family, listening and re-listening to teachings, and then actually going out and applying those teachings to my everyday life. 

The praying part…check, listening and re-listening to teachings…check, but full application of these teachings…not so much. Questions to ponder: what were my hindrances, was it fear, was I too focused on myself, was self even a motivator or the works of Jesus? The “why” behind anything you actually “do” for the Kingdom of God is very important and essential to even beginning or starting the obedience aspect of things. 

Where’s the heart check? When has this become the last thing to do instead of the first? The application and the carrying-out of such really needs to be re-evaluated amongst the church. What is my motivation? Is is really to see revival, a move of God, to see people set free and delivered, to see Jesus? What is my motivation? What am I even doing this for?

When the focus becomes Jesus and the love for Him, the compassion, love, patience, and all-out character of Him will show and flow over onto His people naturally. Spending time with Jesus consistently just because you want to, and not because you’re looking for the latest word or revelation, will make you an unselfish disciple. Naturally, being around Him makes you hungry for more. The time spent with Him, verses what you see happening around you, will make you yearn for and seek change given your call. 

“Lord, what is it that you want to do or want me to pray for now? How can I make a difference or be a changing factor in this puzzle?” Will we be satisfied with the answer the Lord gives us? What is your motivation? Will you be satisfied with Holy Spirit telling you to be a keeper over your own house? Will you be satisfied with Holy Spirit saying, “Your motherhood or fatherhood is your ministry?” What is your motivation?

I know I can’t save everyone, and I know this is not my job…only Jesus can do this, but I also do not want to be a selfish disciple. I do not want to become so laxed, nonchalant, and selfish that if it does not involve me that I have no say or care about the matter. Lord, make our hearts yearn and burn with compassion for those we don’t even know. Let us lay hands on the sick and they be healed. Even if we don’t see it, Lord, we know you did it. Father, let us not take everything we have learned and bury it in the ground like the talents, and do nothing with it. Father, let us be great investors of your wisdom, revelation, and knowledge. Let us move in such a way that pleases you. How can we spend all this time in your Presence and not be effective? Father, let us not be wasters of that which you have given us, and that which we have free access to. Father, you are freely giving us what we need. It may not come in the package we have so desired, but Lord let us be sensitive to know the package is even here. Father, we love you and will continue to honor you. In Jesus’ Name we pray—Amen.***