And Jesus came and said
to them, “All authority on heaven and in earth has been given to me. Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that
I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
–Matthew 28:18-20
Making
Disciples.
Walking
alongside someone through life, the good and the bad. Sharing the love of
Christ with them in everyday life.
Teaching
them what Jesus has taught you and learning together with them. Drawing closer
as friends and as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Lydia
and I am blessed every Saturday as we meet with our Bible Study girls. We play
go fish, eat snacks, talk about our week, pray with each other, and learn more
about who Jesus is!
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| Decorating hearts in ways that remind us of God's agape love for Valentine's Day. |
“Quietly, Jesus got
up from the table, took off his robe, picked up a basin of water, knelt down,
and started to wash his friend’s feet.”
“What?
No, no, you don’t have to do that” the girls replied bashfully after we read
the story of Jesus’ example of servant leadership.
“You can’t,” Peter
said. He didn’t understand about Jesus being the Servant King.
“We want
to do this for you, because we love you, we want to serve you” was our reply.
They
slowly gathered on the ledge by the window. And we began. Water and soap mixed
together to make bubbles. Feet tentatively slid into the basin. Giggles filled
the room. And smiles erupted on those beautiful dark faces. Feet were gently
dried and the next one dipped in the water. The last one was washed and as we
were drying each toe a Eucharistic (thanksgiving, grace, and joy) moment was
made.
“Now it
is your turn. We want to wash your feet.”
“It’s okay;
you girls don’t have to do that.”
“We want
to!”
Our toes
slipped into the water, suds formed, and smiles were shared. The roles were
reversed and our hearts were drawn closer to theirs.
We began
to clean up and two large grins strode toward the basin. One, the youngest of
our group, and the other, her friend from the street. Her friend took a seat and
she. washed. her. feet.
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| Shamila washing her friend's feet. |
My heart
leapt with joy as God was showing me discipleship right before my eyes. When I thought
the young girl wasn’t listening, when she seemed distracted, God was working in
this young heart.
Learning
by example.
And now,
she was teaching her friend. Becoming to
her a servant leader. Being the hands and feet of Jesus to her small friend.
“I am doing this because
I love you,” Jesus explained. “Do this for each other.”
