Retrospection is to look back; reminisce about past things. Doing so in my life, pre and post salvation, I can say with clarity that the sovereign and protective handprints of God were all over the place. Often sparing me from myself and death.. Hedecided long ago that I had more life to live and things to accomplish for the kingdom of heaven.
I know this is why he brought me to my first home church so quickly as a new believer. My heavenly Father set my fresh faith on a firm foundation. This firm foundation would solidify Christ in my heart and testimony, in the years to come. It was only months into being a Christian that he placed the smiling faces and welcoming posture of an older pastoral couple who shepherded the church in my life. I know God had hand picked them for me.
The moment I saw their faces and shook their hands, God confirmed within my peace filled heart and spirit that I was home. I was, then, embraced by other church members who wanted to hear the story of how I came to choose their building. In the weeks following, I got plugged into faith building programs including a ladies’ Bible study led by the pastor’s wife. As a woman with serious trust issues, I never felt so loved in all my life.
It wasn't long before I implied to the pastor and his wife that I had, secretly, christened them my spiritual grandparents. Though they chuckled, the title wasn't refused and my faith began to grow exponentially. I regularly attended church when I had previously cursed it, and I couldn't write sermon notes fast enough as nuggets of wisdom whipped out at me. I was even baptized by my spiritual ‘grandpa’.
The light of Christ in this couple never dimmed and the blessings that came as a result of knowing them were beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of on my own. God knew precisely what I needed as his daughter and he provided it, one hundredfold. Even in times of great emotional distress, they never flinched in giving me wise counsel. Their footsteps never left me when I walked through some very dark times. They remained faithful to Jesus in remaining faithful to me. They knew what it meant to be a disciple of Christ and walked in it daily.
To a seeking individual or new believer, it would be easy to spot them in a crowd because you would know they are “my (his) disciples" (v. 35). When you and I trust in the Lord Jesus for our salvation, we are also trusting him for every need that will come our way in order to become Christ-like. Then, by the Holy Spirit's power, as we ourselves are discipled by those who impact our lives for the kingdom of God, may we take all of those spiritual blessings, using them to disciple and impact others.
Heavenly Father, thank you for providing all that I needed so long ago when I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. In supplying a true disciple example in my life, so I too will know how to disciple others. I desire to be a follower that will be recognized as your disciple. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Throughout This Day: Take time to remember the people who impacted your faith life when you first became a believer. Let them know what that meant to you and take the blessings of their discipleship to also become a guiding light to others.