The Disciplined Disciple

“For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.” Matthew‬ ‭8‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭

When I was a young girl, my father set about teaching me to drive.  He started by explaining that whenever he gave direction, I must be sure to follow his direction immediately and without hesitation because he may see or be aware of something that I could not see.  He went on to explain that the consequences could be deadly, so an immediate obedient response was critical.  My older brother and sister were told the same thing, and he tested each of us to see if we would obey before allowing us on the highway.

For me, the test came on an old country farm road near Eagle Lake, Texas.  I had gotten the old Volare up to about 60 mph with Mamaw, brother, and sister in the backseat.  Suddenly, Daddy said, "Stop!"  I slammed on the brakes as hard as I could, throwing everyone against the front seat—seatbelts and all.  The backseat passengers complained vehemently.

"You need to learn how to brake!"

"Yowza!  You nearly killed us!"

"What are you trying to do?  Daddy, you need to drive!"

My father interrupted them all, looked at me and said, "That was perfect.  I need you to do that any and every time I tell you to stop."  He went on to remind me that I may not see the dangers ahead, and that I must trust him.

I wish I could say I have listened to and obeyed God just as well as I did my father that day.

God always sees the dangers ahead—dangers we do not see.  As good soldiers, we must trust and obey our Commanding Officer, even if it means what we consider to be earthly hardship.

2 Timothy 2:3-5 says, "Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.  And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules."

Are you tied up in the affairs of civilian life?  Or, are you fully trusting and obeying Christ Jesus alone?

May we allow the Holy Spirit to lovingly train us, making us disciplined disciples.

Goodnight, Runners.