Live Sent – part 1
One of the fun things about living in a college town is that I’m always reminded of the adventure of faith. People change their plans because God speaks, and they follow. A college student changes majors, changes universities, or goes a totally different direction in life because they are disciples.
During Advent, one of our college students shared her testimony. She had interned over the summer with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Orlando and developed a love for Bible translation. She wanted to change her major to linguistics so that she could develop a competency to go with her calling. Unfortunately, FSU did not offer the major. The nearest place? Gainesville…at the University of Florida. This life-long Seminole found herself following God’s call right into the heart of Gator country, and she’s there now.
The Gospel of Matthew reminds us that discipleship begins with obedience. An angel appears to Joseph in a dream, and he obeys. A star appears, and magi move. John preaches, and Jesus is baptized. Discipleship doesn’t begin with better study, more knowledge, stronger feelings, or asking your friends what they think. It begins by simply following. We learn as we go, and God opens the doors as we trust in him alone.
Jesus said the reason he was baptized was to demonstrate that kind of obedience—the kind that “fulfilled all righteousness” right now (Matthew 3:17). May it be so in your life today. Watch out where God is working in your life this week. It might even lead you to The Swamp.