The Lord loves to challenge and encourage me consistently. Lately, He has been pushing me to be more open. "You have so much to share, your life is one worth knowing," This is what God says to me. I usually get uneasy when He says this. I am not sure if I have something to offer to people.  I feel that feeling of unworthiness creep in, but I know that is not true. I know I have worth, I have a life to share with others. So what is holding me back?

I have sat the past few nights trying to process through these thoughts. While journaling I came to a thought that was clearly God calling me to step up. 

"I want you to disciple someone here."

I was not expecting to hear this, it took me way off guard. I feel like I have not worked through so many things in my life, but regardless of that God's voice was clear. So where do I even start? I have been working with our Wednesday night kids group at Adventures and also with FCA at a local middle school. I love being around the kids and impacting them in those groups, but discipleship is more direct. They allow you permission to speak into a young persons life who needs direction, focus, and to be pointed to the Lord. 

While this can look fun and enjoyable to watch people grow, I also feel the importance of discipling well. I am guiding someone to a closer walk with the Lord, if I mess that up it could affect them for their whole lives. I don't want that to happen, but I can't let this steer me from discipling at all. I have to take action and be ok for mess ups to occur.

My next step is to move forward and begin that process. I need to find that person to invest in and disciple. I may not know exactly how it looks and I may not always have the answers, but it is fluid and there is endless grace through Jesus. It will be a battle of casting away the fears I have pushing down on me and realizing the Holy Spirit is pushing outward, wanting to connect with those I am impacting. The Lord will be there every step of the way, I just need to be obedient and walk in His truth.

I am excited to learn in this season. I think this is something I have desired to do, I just have to step out and DO IT! I know I will see something beautiful through this all. I don't want to stay on the sideline, I want to join in the mix of those raising up a new generation. I will listen to this simple declaration spoken into my life.

"I am Stephen, A follower of Christ, and I am called to make disciples....So I Will!"