by Kala Loptien

Learning from the Best

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this Sound Cloud link.

By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 1 John 2:6 ESV

There’s a song by Sidewalk Prophets ringing in my head as I seek God’s guidance for this post. I want to share just a few lines with you.

Was I love, when no one else would show up? Was I Jesus to the least of us? Was my worship more than just a song?

I want to live like that and give it all I have. So that every thing I say and do points to you. If love is who I am, then this is where I’ll stand:

Recklessly abandoned, never holding back. I want to live like that.

This morning, I thought about the disciples. Somewhat unknowingly, they embarked on a transformative (and sometimes overwhelming) adventure. As the hand-picked 12, they were His students in His inner circle — learning from the ultimate teacher. The disciples observed countless encounters, and how He: tended to the poor and needy; healed the sick; freed the sinners; delivered life-changing sermons; performed miracles and approached questioning from religious leaders. After the resurrection, it was their time. And they were ready. Filled with the spirit and teachings from their master, they went out — recklessly abandoned.

What enabled them to do so? Time with Him. To become more like Him, we have to spend time with Him, reading/hearing/studying the red-lettered words that transform our hearts and minds. HE creates the change. Were the disciples perfect? Certainly not. Like us, they too were seriously flawed and fell short. But what I’d like us to think about today is the time they spent with Jesus and how that shaped the rest of their lives. Spending time with Jesus changes the trajectory of our lives.

Lord, draw us closer. May we truly hear Your Word and listen to Your Voice. Give us the strength and courage to be your hands and feet in a world that needs you. Amen.

*Live Like That, Sidewalk Prophets

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado