receive

The  discipleship cycle is like a tree.  A tree begins its life as a seed; a seed that simply receives.  As it receives water and sunlight, the seed is transformed from the inside out.  A new disciple is like a seed that receives in order to be transformed.  Read Acts 9:1-19 which records the conversion of the Apostle Paul after he encounters the risen Jesus.  The only responsibility a new disciple has is to show up and receive; receiving from other Christians everything that they have to offer; receiving salvation, receiving the Spirit, receiving scripture, receiving prayer, receiving love, receiving ministry.  Even as the new Christian engages in service and ministry, they are simply following the lead of other mature believers.  The new disciple is simply obeying Jesus’ very first command: “come, follow me!”

Am I receiving good things from God and others?