Intents & Purposes

Standing in a buffet line at a recent private event, my wife and I were overwhelmed with joy as a former student recognized and approached us. During the rest of the evening, we reminded each other how our paths had crossed many years ago. Now married for 14 years to another former student, there were many ways my wife and I had been a part of her life. I taught her Bible and Math in High School, my wife and I provided the 2 of them with marital counseling, and I even helped officiate their wedding.

Though life’s changes had separated us for well over a decade, we enjoyed reflecting on shared memories that seemed to be a lifetime ago.  As we drove home from the event, my wife and I thanked God for the joyful surprise. I found myself personally encouraged by the seemingly random details this young lady remembered from our season together. More specifically, she remembered individual classes, lessons, and even conversations that she confessed had “changed her life.” Now, as a mother of 5, she was eager to pass on many of those same lessons to her own children.

God has called all of us to be a light to those around us, whether it be our own children, their friends, longtime church relationships, or developing acquaintances in the workplace. Though Jesus' disciples likely “studied” hard under His' tutelage, I’m sure they felt unprepared when He sent them out to a lost world. As Paul planted churches and discipled those new to the faith, I doubt He understood the thousands of stories of the impact his obedience was having on others. Being a disciple who makes disciples flows from joyful obedience. The fruit is always in God's hands.

As we embark on another school year, each day will bring opportunities for multitudes of “life-changing” moments through modeling, teaching, and transformation. Some of these opportunities will be planned in Chapel or a Bible class, and other opportunities may happen at the breakfast table or a car ride. Needed in each situation is intentionality for the purpose of training disciples. May we all continue to engage in a lifestyle of living out God’s design in each of our lives. ​