“‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.” Matthew 25:29 NKJV

Did anyone attend IF:Gathering or an IF:Local this weekend? The conference ended with a plea for us to make just one disciple. The message was loud and clear: there is no denying that Jesus has called us and given us His authority to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20).

And then I come to this passage this morning: the one about the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. The passage that describes the three servants who were each trusted with valuable possessions. Two servants went and doubled, they multiplied, their master’s talents. The other took and buried it – hid it in the dirt – did nothing with it.

Those servants represent us ladies.  The talents represent the gospel — the good news that we are completely and totally loved by Jesus right now — exactly how we are! And what are we to do with that valuable information? We are, with all of Jesus’ authority, to go and multiply. We are to share the good news, not keep it to ourselves.

And that verse… The one I shared above… That one got my attention. We have all been trusted to share the gospel with someone specific. There are people in my life, there are people in your life that we are to disciple. And if we don’t… God will take them away and put them in someone else’s trust.

Pause here for just a moment and consider who these people are? Who is God asking you to disciple? If you seriously don’t know, ask Him. Ask Him right now.

I have four pressure babies in my home. God has in trusted me to make disciples out of them. And if I don’t…? Well… someone else will get to. Someone else will get the blessing and privilege of loving my children the way God has asked me to. I’m not saying they will be removed from my home or that something dramatic or crazy will happen. I’m simply saying that when my children are older and look back, when they think of the one person that pointed them to Christ, it will be someone other than me.

I will have missed the joy of watching them fall in love with their Savior.

Now, I realize that this may sound like I want some vain glory here (and most days, sadly, I do), but not with this. I’m just saying I want to be the instrument that the Father uses to reveal His love to my children. I don’t want to miss it. I want desperately to show them the love of Christ. I want desperately to see them show others the love of Christ.

That person I asked you to think about earlier, he or she needs disciplining. He or she needs to be taught to observe all things that the Lord has commanded you (Matthew 28:20). He or she has been placed in your life for a this reason. Do you want to miss this opportunity? Or do you want to be used by the Father?

Now at this point I realize you may be thinking, yeah, this sounds great and all, but I don’t even know what discipling is. It is simply this: teaching others to follow after Christ. And to do this you need to remember that you are not the Teacher. The Holy Spirit is the ultimate Teacher. Lean into Him. Abide in Him and He will direct you as you direct your pupil.

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5 NKJV

Lord in heaven, I thank You for the little ones You have placed in my care. I also thank You for the women You have placed within my circle of influence. Empower me to influence them for good. Show me how to point them to You, how to reflect Your love, and how to teach them to follow after You. In Your name I pray, amen.

Friends,

Please remember that I am human and flawed and my thoughts on this passage and others may not always be right. Please hold what I write up against the Word of God and listen to the Holy Spirit as He speaks to you directly.

Only by grace,