A Big Life – See. Perceive. Act.

If we believe, former procrastinators, that only two things last, God’s Word and people’s souls, our lives and the lives of others will be vastly affected.  Our priorities will reveal our belief.

Let’s embrace this mentoring, discipling, “investing” way.  I’ve been blessed to have three such women (besides my mom) invest long term in me.  Mrs. Owens, took me underwing from college through our children’s teen years.  Whether studying scripture, giving a party, or talking boys, she was a guiding light.  Mary, on Tuesdays came to the school where I taught.  We spent my lunch break in the book of James and prayer.  Ana and I met on Thursdays as our children played together.  We studied Philippians and prayed.  We were often interrupted by little ones so I was able to witness wise parenting. Meals, projects, errands together let me into their everyday lives.  Ana and I still talk regularly.

Whether for a long period of time or a brief one, we seize what God gives, entrusting that woman or child to Him.  It’s God’s work; His resources are limitless.

One spring three different men requested that Bill Fawcett meet with them for one-on-one discipling. All three were due to be transferred to other cities in three months.  Bill discerned that he should say “yes” to each and prayed that the Lord would maximize the time.  All three  men became pastors.  Hundreds of people were influenced for the Lord through them.   Even three months was a wise investment.

Another friend, Bill Tell, was led to the Lord by his college classmate Steve.  They were two weeks away from freshman finals. Steve showed Bill how to have quiet time, memorize verses study the scriptures. He took Bill with him to witness to others.  He dropped by Bill’s dorm room everyday even if for five minutes. The next year, Steve continued encouraging Bill and concentrated the same effort on Bob who also came to know the Lord and received the same help from Steve.  Junior year, Steve transferred schools and focused on his roommate Jack with the same intentional heart and action.  Steve “turned Jack onto Christ.”  One day, Jack returned to their dorm room and found Steve dead on the floor.  He had died of an aneurism.

Bill Tell says, “Steve did not live a long life, but he lived a big life.”

Praise God for disciple maker Steve.  Bill, Bob, and Jack each devoted their lives to making disciples. Among them, they had ministries on six continents and behind the Iron Curtain.  Literally thousands of people have become Christ followers through them.  Steve lived a big life. Just three men, one each year.

It is not necessary for the person we meet with to develop any kind of big outreach.  Making disciples means I invest in one woman who invests in one more who invests in another.  After Thanksgiving we will see what happens focusing on God’s Word and people’s souls, one by one.

Who is investing in you?  Who do you invest in?