A Disciple

A Disciple

All week I have been thinking about the different disciples, and which one I was going to choose. I was reading my Bible and I realized that Matthew was the last person that I thought about. It was so interesting to me at that moment. Matthew reminded me of myself in the way that his life totally changed when he started following Jesus (9:9-13).

As I sent more time trying to find out more about him, I asked myself the question, “How can a person with a bad reputation really change?” Basically being a tax collector for the Romans like Matthew was made him earn a bad reputation. Jesus knew without a doubt Matthew’s reputation; yet called him anyway.

Matthew’s life did a 360˚ shift. His life totally changed when he started to follow Jesus. First he not only belonged to a new group (Jesus’ disciples); he found a new home in God. As soon as I gave my life to Jesus everything in my life began to change, but the first was my friends, the people I associated with. This was the beginning of Matthew as well. That blows me away. I can only imagine how awesome it must have been from being a hated tax collector to one of Jesus’ disciples. Second, Jesus gave Matthew a new purpose for his skills. When he followed Jesus the only tool that he carried with him from his past was something to write with. From the very beginning God had made him a record keeper. This really stuck out to me because in every skill that we have God uses it, but in his own time. Jesus’ call eventually allowed him to put his skills to their greatest work, recording the steps of Jesus. It’s so awesome for me to think about how observant you must have been. Matthew probably had to mentally take note of some things, and then goes back and writes them down. As a result there is a Gospel that bears his name.

Matthew’s life reminds me that I am a work in progress, always growing. God trusted me with skills before I even knew what to do with them, but he called me to him anyway. He made me capable of being his servant, and everything else is just falling into place. There is no way that Matthew could have known beforehand that God would use the very skills he had sharpened as a tax collector to record the greatest story ever lived. It’s humbling that God has no less meaningful purpose for each of us.

Dupes of Sin

Titus 3:3-8 hit me hard this week. The Message says, “It wasn’t so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing we gad nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our savior Jesus pored out new life so generously. God’s gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there’s more life to come- eternity of life! You can count on this!”

It made me think. At one point I was that person who was a dupe of sin. Someone had to bring me to Jesus. Then I thought, who am I to decide whom I talk to? That is up to God, not me. If that person who showed me God’s love decided that what they were doing was more important than witnessing to me, I most likely wouldn’t be where I am with God right now. It’s crazy for me to think about all of the people that I pass everyday without responding to God’s urgent pushing. I wonder how many people passed me when I wasn’t living right.

I have realized that I have been selfish. We know how it feels to live that life. A life that is lost and numb to sin. It should hurt when we pass people on the streets that don’t know Jesus yet. Yet is the key word. Salvation is ready and available for everyone!

Right before Titus 3:3-8 it says, “God’s readiness to five and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone. We are being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into his good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.”

It also says, “When the time is right, go public with his truth!” I’m not going to stand on street corners, screaming at people, unless God says to. Only when he leads me to speak to someone, is when I’m going to speak. But I (we) have to be sensitive, alert and ready to go after God’s people.

Self-improvement

One thing that I have always struggled with, but not so much now, was authority. Whenever I had to do something or go somewhere I wouldn’t ask my mom if I could go. I would just let her know where I was going, or that I would be back later. So now that I have three house mates, that I get permission from, and let know where Im going, I would have to say that I double check myself most times and make sure that Im not telling them instead of asking.

I’m improving.

The Holiday

From the moment that I got into Champaign-Urbana, I did nothing but spend time with great friends and family. I stayed at the Boyers house for most of my break and then made the journey through the snow to my mother’s house.

At the Boyers I was able to take part in a ton of laughter, great food and family. At my mothers house I was able to cook. Eating good food and cooking good food are both on the list of adored activities. I also made the trip to Kenosha, WI to see my oldest brother. There I was able to pick on my youngest brother, who I have not seen in a few months, and hang out with the oldest one. I would have to say that all was accomplished.

Being in Champaign-Urbana, a world record of board game playing was set. I feel like if we were not eating, we were playing a game or watching a movie. It was so much fun.

Lehman House

The moment that I arrived in Hamtramck I knew that I was in for something that I was not expecting. The moment that I walked into my dorm I knew that the thing that I wasn’t expecting would be all right because of my three awesome roommates.

I live in the ‘Lehman House’ with Andrea, Kari, and Erika. Over the past few months I have began to have a closer relationship with each of them. It’s really neat to think about the way they all contribute differently to my life. The time that I have been in X-Min has really been awesome, but I don’t know if I would feel the same about what God is doing in my life without them. They teach me so much. I can honestly say that they are Godly women who are full of advice.

The advice is needed.