Although the waiting period can seem never ending, perhaps the most difficult principal to abide by in this call to disciple the hurting is to obey. As a matter of fact, this is the principal that many fall short of, and as a result, their ministry never gets off the ground or it simply comes to an end. At first there is an excitement to disciple your first person, finally the door that you have been praying and waiting for has opened. But as this call becomes a way of life there will be many days that you must die to self and live for Christ to fulfill your calling. This is why Jesus warned His disciples:

 

 

It’s a choice to follow the Lord—daily—in your life’s calling. It’s a choice to go and meet with the person you are discipling even though there may be a more pressing matter or something more exciting to do. It’s a choice to go when God is calling you to travel afar to minister to that hurting friend, when you simply want to stay home and relax. It’s a choice to continue in this work even when someone you are discipling is making choices contrary to what you are teaching him or her. It’s a choice—a choice of love to the One who gave up all for you.

 

Once again, the Lord used the sunflower in my life as a way to embed this principle deep within my heart. During a long time of toiling the soil, with seemingly little or no results, I was tired and ready to give up my ministry.

 

Yet there were the sunflowers, acres and acres of them, and they all appeared dead. It was then that God softly spoke to my heart through John 12:24.

 

 

It was as if the Lord was telling me: Your ministry will appear to die. But do not give up hope. For it will produce abundantly if you too are willing to die self and live for Me, for just as in the death of the sunflower there is an abundance of seeds that are harvested, there will be fruit from your life, as well, if you are willing to die to self and just obey Me.

 

God loves you so much that He gives you the choice—the choice to remain steadfast and obey His call no matter what is taking place in your life and no matter the result of your ministry or the choice to follow your own fleshly desires of the day.

 

But it is important to remember, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”

 

This is why obedience is one the the main principles in how to disciple the hurting. May you be willing to die to self and live for Christ as you choose to obey Him in your life’s calling. As you do, you will bear fruit, fruit that will last.

 

Feel free to share this blog with your friends or pin it on one of your boards. Make sure to post your comment of how you are choosing to obey God in your life’s calling to encourage other readers. Or feel free to post a prayer request so that we can all pray for you to follow Him no matter what He is calling you to do. If you have time, don’t miss the Bible study below. These are just a few of the great verses concerning being obedient to God.

 

I’m enjoying His grand adventure while I die to self and live for Christ.

 

Individual Bible Study

Look up the following verses concerning being obedient to the call God has on your life: 1 Samuel 12:14-15; 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Psalm 119:57-60; Matthew 7:21; Luke 11:28; John 14:15; John 15:9-17; Acts 5:29; Galatians 5:13; James 1:22-25; 2:14-26; 4:17.

 

In what way is God calling you to die to self and live for Him as you disciple others?