This weeks message on discipleship was right on point as usual.  I had to smile when Pastor Rick spoke about Spiritual growth being a choice, a commitment and a relationship. Right now where I am in my life those three things are being highlighted. You could even say that I am learning or growing in those three areas exponentially.  

The choices I make nowadays do not even vaguely resemble the choices I would have been making ten years ago, or even five years ago.  Things that would have gotten me upset, no longer do. Situations and circumstances that would have had me walking the floor stressing over them no longer rate a mention. My instinctive reflex when upset is NOW, to pray, continually without ceasing, having learned that no one, and or no thing will render the appropriate answer and or response better than God will.  It’s been a long road getting to this point and I am still traveling that road but it might not seem as rocky as it did years ago.

Commitment, made me smile. Three months ago I made the decision to enroll in college here locally. Something that I had been wanting and needing to do for years but for one reason or another never was able to. The potential for growth in my life from this alone is great. With the economy the way it is now, it is a lot riskier than it might have been at any other time, but I know it is something that I need to do for my growth. I knew that before I heard Pastor Rick speak this weekend.  So at the ripe old age of 43 I will in a few months become a freshman at college actively working on the commitment I made to myself to obtain a college degree at some point in my lifetime.

Relationships have been an ongoing battle for me for as long as I can remember. While those who have met me and interacted with me will tell you, I am a very nice down to earth person, I have always had trouble with forming and keeping relationships. Nice guys Gals finishing last about sums it up. Not just speaking about male female relationships, friendships  have been somewhat elusive as well. I have never been one to travel with an entourage. I have one Exceptionally good friend that unfortunately does not live in the same state with me but we stay in touch like we live next door.  As the song says however, No Man(or woman if you will) is an island. So my choices now at this point in my life include doing things that will make it easier for friendships to develop and for me to get out and socialize with others. Be it in person or via this medium, there are always opportunities to get to know people and its just a neat sidebar that blogging here gives me an opportunity to develop relationships with those that are also following Christ as well.  Neat how that all worked out ?

My road to discipleship has been long and still at this point is pretty much uncharted.  I remember when I mentioned to my mom that I was going to be blogging for Saddleback, which her initial reaction was “You are going into the ministry?”  to which I had to respond in the negative in that I never envisioned myself “in the ministry”. Then I remember Apostle Paul and pray that whatever it is that God wants me to do, that I will do it to his glory and honor.  Be it blogging online and or interacting with folks online or in person, just do it to the honor and glory of God.  

Now pardon me, I have some – growing to do…..

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Mark 8: 34-36 (KJV)

Alinda Pete
Online Community Member