Last week, Olivia and I went on our early morning walk, (yes, the quiet road across the street I've mentioned before) and as we came back into the neighborhood, the school busses were making their rounds. I thought to myself, "Is it already that time of the year again?" School busses are definitely one of the sites you see as the fall routines begin. And while I don’t miss the hectic pace of school schedules, sports and homework (times five), and flow charts of what kid is going where in which car, I think there is something comforting in the finishing up of the summer months and the welcoming of a fall routine. Summer often means we are a little more relaxed in our schedules. School is on the back-burner and our gardens are calling. We might sleep in a little more, or stay up a little later with the long evenings. Maybe we take a trip or two to see family or just relax. Summer is truly refreshing. However, I’ve come to realize something: an endless summer break would actually make me miserable. What? Really? Don’t we live and long for our days off? Sure! But breaks and vacations and time off are only truly satisfying after all the hard work is complete. We work to rest but to enjoy rest fully, we must work.  

I’ve been meditating on Colossians 1:28-29 a lot lately: “And we proclaim Him, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present every person complete in Christ. And for this purpose I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.” The apostle Paul was no stranger to the reality of work. Did you catch the words labor and striving in verse 29? What is this work that Paul is rejoicing in? It’s the work of discipleship - passing on what he has learned to those who will then in turn pass it on to others (2 Timothy 2:2). Paul’s labor and striving mean living with the goal of presenting every person around him complete in Christ. Well, you might ask, "What does that have to do with fall and school busses and work?"

This fall Pastor John will be emphasizing the Path of Discipleship again. If you’re new to Redeemer you may not have heard about it yet. Basically, it’s taking steps to grow in Christ personally, and helping others do the same. If you’ve walked with the Lord for any length of time, you know how easy it is to fall off the path of discipleship. We slack in communing with God, we grow weary in our commitment to serve our church family, we grow quiet in our efforts to communicate the gospel, and we fail to cultivate disciples. This fall, it’s time as a church family to set some intention with regard to our path of discipleship. 

What does that look like for me? It means intentionally setting goals in each of these areas. It means taking spiritual inventory of myself and seeing where I need to grow.  

• Communing with God: How am I doing with Bible reading, prayer, repentance, and growing in godly character? How am I managing my mind, thoughts and intellect? How am I managing my heart attitudes?  (1 John 1:9, Gal 5:22, Col 3:1-4, Col 4:2, 1 Pet 3:4, 1 Tim 3:11, Eph 4:22, 5:1) Where do I need to grow? 
• Commitment to Redeemer: Where am I physically serving my church family? Who am I caring for on a weekly basis, beyond myself and family?  Where am I strong, where am I weak in serving this body of believers? (Romans 12:10. Gal 5:13 Heb 10:24-25. Eph 4:2-3,12, 1 Cor 13, 1 John 4:7)
• Communicating the Gospel: How is God using me in the process of evangelism here in Rockford? (Acts 1:8) Am I making myself available so that He can use me? 
• Cultivating Disciples: Who am I mentoring? I don’t like to be thought of as a mentor, but it doesn’t matter what I think or feel. God’s Word calls me to pass on what I’ve learned so the gospel can multiply! What work is more worthy than seeing people convert to Christ?! Each of us is influencing someone whether we like it or not. We influence our husband, our kids, our co-workers, our friends, and our families. God asks us to make disciples, to influence and affect the people right around us for the gospel. Am I doing that? What needs to change? (Matt 28, 2 Tim 2:2.)

Every fall John and I would sit each of our kids down and help them take spiritual inventory. Then we would do it ourselves. This year I’ve gathered a few gals around me to do the same. I challenge you also to take up this practice. Start with yourself; take spiritual inventory. In the next month, get alone for an hour or two and ask the Lord for insight into your own soul. Ask Him, "Lord how do you want me to grow in each of these areas this year? Where am I strong; where am I weak?" Bring a journal and write those things down. Yes, it takes effort; it takes time; it takes mental and emotional energy, but what work could be so worthy? More of Jesus in you means more of Jesus in everyone around you. 

Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord, to thee Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my voice and let me sing always, only for my king Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from thee Take my silver and my gold not a might would I withhold Take my intellect and use every power as you choose.

Take my will and make it Thine it shall be no longer mine Take my heart it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne Take my love, my Lord I pour at your feet its treasure store Take myself and I will be ever, only all for thee Take myself and I will be ever, only all for thee.

By Francis Ridley Havergal

May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you this fall as you pursue Him on the path of discipleship.  

Grace and love to each of you today,

Betsey Dirkse