“Disciple” … we hear that often enough. Everybody must have some idea of what it means.

A quick search for ‘disciple’ in the dictionary yields no fewer than three specific religious references to the word. One describes the twelve disciples that aided Jesus in His earthly ministry—likely the most common usage in modern English. Another one is a mention of the large collection of believers Jesus sent out to spread His teachings in Luke, chapter 10. The last is a reference to a much larger concept—the idea that the word ‘disciple’ can be used to describe anyone who follows Christ.

Most people would probably consider the latter definition to be a bit vague—lacking specific terms by which a person could be deemed a ‘follower of Christ’. What is a ‘disciple’? Is it any Christian? Is it any Christian who goes to church regularly? One who tithes? Perhaps it should be defined as a person who literally followed Jesus around on His many earthly travels two-thousand years ago. No? What about a person who simply devotes themselves to the Lord’s work? Now that certainly sounds reasonable enough.

The only problem with explaining discipleship to anyone is that a great many people actually believe that being a true disciple is an unattainable goal. Often we downplay our talents, ignore our greatest personal attributes, and even convince ourselves that our usefulness is limited. Perhaps all we see are spiritual giants around us—those who seem to do so much more for God than we are capable of. Perhaps we view those same people as the very reason why it’s ok for us to limit our own efforts to please God—they’re doing such a good job, why should I get in the way? Maybe we see no point in doing the things we can because we see them as insignificant or unimportant.

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”

John 12:23-26 (NIV)

It is very likely that none of us are to fulfill the exact same duties for the Lord as another person. There is so much to be done—and all of it is important. The passage tells us we are to cease being who we were and follow after Christ’s example. That’s certainly a tall order, but just remember that becoming like Christ does not come easily to anybody. We are sinful by our very nature. However, God still requires us to try. Every follower will bring glory to God in a different way and there will always be work to be done in the Kingdom of God.

We should be mindful that God is concerned with the heart—not the magnitude of our good deeds or the amount of people impacted by them. Just remember… David only had a sling, Dorcas only had a needle, the widow only had two small coins, and Moses only had a rod. Somehow, having very little worked out well for those individuals—undoubtedly because they had a heart intent on God’s glory.

Sometimes we are so concerned with what we cannot do that we forget that all God has asked of us is that we answer the call. The Bible is full of stories about people who simply did what they could do. The lesson behind each of these illustrations is the same—being a disciple is as simple as allowing ourselves to be used. For whatever God asks, God equips. That being said, it’s more than likely you already have what you need to be God’s servant.

Pray this week that God would strengthen your desire to serve Him with what you have—that He would use that service to mold you into the disciple you were created to be. Pray, also, for your brothers and sisters in Christ, that they may do the same.