A little over a month ago, I sat with some of my favorite people in the world and listened. ..On stage speaking were spiritual leaders (followers of Jesus) who have walked (most of them many times) where I walk, and further where I will be walking over the next 6 months of my life. At events like this, I have a tendency to become a bit spastic. I'm bubbling with the energy that fills me up when I'm surrounded by people I love, admire, and learn from. The speakers on the stage sat in a panel setting and answered questions from the audience, of which many members were quite nervous to embark on the journey we will soon begin. I took a deep breath as they began and determined to listen and learn, setting aside the quirky comments within me, behaving like soda in a shaken can - waiting to get out. I pulled out my notebook and pen, and as I did, I heard very wise things spoken. I smiled at the mannerisms and the diversity of personalities represented on that stage and how wonderful it is to know and learn from such individuals.
Then, as a question was posed, one speaker shared something that deeply impacted my heart. In her sweet southern twang, she shared of her experiences and what the Father showed her in those times. Sharing a story of a conversation she had with God about those in leadership over her and their great wisdom, she related to those listening that God revealed to her that she should simply 1) seek God and 2) "sit at the feet" of those in leadership above her. This caught my eye. I'm a talker. I can talk and talk and talk - and God made me this way. Listening takes a concerted effort on my part and in the last few months it has become something that I desire to grow up in and impact my relationships - especially with Jesus.
God is so gracious. He has continually given me persons of great wisdom - heros of the faith to lead, teach, challenge, and pour into me. As a reminisce on the seasons of my life, I am astounded at His lavish love toward me in this way. As I listened to the lovely girl on the panel speak, and mulled what she said over for several days, a new desire developed in my heart. What does it truly mean to "sit at the feet" of those who have God-given wisdom - to be humble, faithful, teachable - to have listening ears.
As I have prayed about this concept and discussed it with those dear to me, God has brought to my sight some precious examples of this.
There's a young man I know, about my age, named Josh. I've known him for a few years now and have had the immense privilege of watching him grow - most often at a distance, and now as his friend. What has become evident in the last year of his life is his incredible desire to grow in Christ. As I have watched him and walked beside him, I have been continually humbled by his insight and the love that seems to pour out of every fiber of his being. What has stood out to me the most, however, has been his intentional pursuit of being taught. This guy is the most humble, teachable, listening guy I've ever seen and it just blows my mind. I want to be like that. He seeks out men of Godly stature, serves them, asks them, commits to them, and listens.
I just read the blog of a dear mentor of mine, Cory Lynne. She, and another faithful mother, wife, friend, sister, confidant in my life (Shannon) have recently shared with me about their love for their children. It overflows from their hearts and they just can't share enough of their delight in the daughters God has blessed them with. I laugh with them - as I love their precious daughters too and am usually ready to hear their next story of "What ... has done this week..." Both of them have finished stories in a way that would make absolutely no sense to the World..."But she's not mine. She's God's. I have to remember that. In everything I say to her, in every way I respond. She's His, and I have simply been given stewardship over her for this time." WOW. What a perspective. How humble, how divine, how challenging.
Last summer, our team's focus was discipleship. What does it look like? Who disciples? How do you disciple? Should we be discipled? We sought out these answers in the Bible and contrasted the results we found with our own experiences with the American church. It challenged, humbled, and grew each one of us in unique ways. I grew (rather, recognized) a passion for discipleship in my life and the many ways that God had placed me in discipleship relationships. I realized how blessed I was - and even moreso the great responsibility that lay before me.
There's another friend of mine I'd like to tell you about. I write in the form of thoughts and literature - not in that of a 3 point sermon, so keep reading, and you'll follow fully at the end.
This girl's name is Mandii. (That's two I's. She's one of a kind.) Mandii is one of the girls that I have been growing in friendship with (Sisterhood, really) for the last two years of my life. She's absolutely beautiful, in a number of ways. The most outstanding is her gentle and quiet spirit. (Biblical beauty) I have laughed with her, cried with her, and held her hand (sometimes, with surprising responses). We've braved Bourbon Street and 23rd street together. Mandii has always been one to stand out in a crowd, but the last 9 months we've spent together - she has become a young woman who stands out for splendid reasons. Mandii has an undying, passionate, faithful, longing for the presence and voice of God in her life. She has made sacrifices - mainly of popularity - to pursue the call of God on her life. She is marvelously humble and ever-willing to listen. She is a dedicated learner and a faithful friend. She loves the odd-balls and patiently accepts change. I could go on and on (and on). I say all of this to say one thing - I want to be teachable like her. The very young lady who I have had the tremendous pleasure of loving and teaching has come around to teach me what it means to be taught. Beautiful.
You've made it this far - here comes the tie in ;)
In April, I sat and listened to my sweet Texan friend tell of how she learned to "sit at the feet" of those who have wisdom and have been given stewardship (through God) over her. Since that day, I have come to see such beautiful examples of this.
This is the desire of my heart - to be faithful, available, teachable, humble. To understand the seasons of God's ancient work to the extent that I trust Him in those who He places as Paul in my life, and in being a faithful Timothy (Like Josh and Mandii). At the same time, I want to be just like my lovely Cory and Shannon in recognizing the wealth of responsibility and blessings through which God has given me influence if not stewardship over the Timothy's in my life.
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