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Hi Church Family,

I pray that your weekend was a restful one and that you feel rejuvenated as we enter a new week.

If you recall, in my initial lent reflection video, I mentioned that I have chosen to step away from social media as it seems to, quite easily, take up quite a bit of my time. I replaced this time with intentional time with God. That has looked like small groups, reading my Bible, praying more. During the first week, I felt God leading me towards the term discipleship. It was a concept discussed during staff meetings at work, it was discussed during a couple conferences that I attended, and it was even discussed prior to the Lenten season in our youth ministry leadership team. God most certainly had a word for me.

Ever since then, either God has provided more and more opportunities for me to be intentional about discipleship, or because I’m not so distracted, I see the opportunities God has been giving me.

It’s been a time to get creative with discipleship. It’s been a time to explore and discern the different avenues to reach people. God is so good and allows for us to be effective leaders and shepherds of his people through many different means as long as we’re always rooted in His Word. I’ve picked up more books than I have in the past, I’ve explored different music with people, I’ve watched and listened to different podcasts. All this to broaden my perspective and thought process in order to relate to people on a deeper level.

One of the biggest challenges to relationships is not finding a common thread to explore together. It’s not being able to come to the table and listen to each other’s perspectives. The lack of understanding will always be a barrier to communication.

I truly feel that in this time, God is preparing me for something big. I’ve always felt that I’ve been able to get along well with people, and maybe that is my own arrogance and ignorance. However, I’ve had more “real” conversations since the beginning of the Lenten season than I’ve had in a while and I’m so grateful for each opportunity.

I mentioned during my first reflection that I wanted to be intentional in my actions. Each of the opportunities that I’ve had to speak to people and journey with the youth and young adults has been a chance for me to be intentional with them. It’s been a chance for me to be challenged, stretched and intentionally sit and listen to what I’m supposed to be learning in that moment.

My focus this week, as through each week, is that I’m working for the Lord. Not for people. It seems a little confusing at first since I’m literally working and journeying with PEOPLE. But this the Lord’s work. This is the mission that Jesus tasked us with. To go and make disciples of all nations. We are serving and working not because we are getting anything back, but out of a servant heart - out of love.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

God bless you all,

Shaka