Kite Surfing Discipleship
Recently I went to Hawaii for a vacation. On my final day there we went to a beach which was a choice spot for kite surfing. When we got to the beach there were many kite surfers already out in the water. They all looked very experienced and were very talented. They were all out there just in there board shorts and jerseys having a great time.
But then a man stepped onto the beach. He had a kite and a board to kite surf with but he didn’t look like any of the others. This guy was much older than any of the others, and he also wore a helmet and a life vest. Everyone on the beach looked at him like he didn’t belong there. He had his wife throw his kite into the air and he got into the water and took off… 5 second later he was on his face in the water. He got back up and then fell on his back. Over and over again he would get up and fall and finally he swam to the beach and gave up. Everyone on the beach laughed at him and made snide remarks. But in the midst of this God spoke to me and said, “this is how some Christians are to new followers”. Then I began to meditate on that, and of course found it to be true.
When a new Christian messes up, do many of us say things like, ” he should know better”, or something similar and ridicule them and tear them down, just like the kite surfers laughed and tore the older man down. All too often I think we forget that we were all once new Christians, just like everyone of the experienced kite surfers, were once like the new kite surfer. When we were new Christians we didn’t know how to live and we screwed up all the time ( and we still screw up, its a constant battle. The victory is ours). We were all once like that new kite surfer.
Then I thought if some one had taken the time to teach the man the basics and how to do the sport, the man would have ha a better time and actually enjoyed himself and not given up. That is how it is with new Christians. All too often no one takes the time to disciple a new believer. All too often we think someone else should disciple them or that they can do it on their own. But we are commissioned by God to disciple people. To make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:19-20) So many new believers get exhausted just like the kite surfer and they give up and walk out on their faith because no one has mentored them, no one took the time to pour into their life!
It’s time to step up people. It’s time to do our job! If you have a small group, or are a leader, or if your a Christ Follower period, you need to disciple people. Take the time to mentor young people. Take time to look and see the hurt in their eyes. Take the time to talk and hangout with them. We need to show our young people and a new believers what Christ is like, we need to show them they are loved, and are worth more then they know! Don’t let them just coast by and walk away. Don’t let them tire out and give up. Build them up. mentor them and reach them!
Be blessed!
