Rasheed!!!

If you guys don’t know, Rasheed is my sheep, someone whom i am taking care of, my mentee. He has been under my care for around 7 or 8 months, ever since April last year when he decided to come back to church. From then till now, i bet many would testify as well, he has grown from a boy to an older boy (HAHAHAHA), all thanks to God.

As i did his 2008 reflection together with him, we came to realize how much God has worked in his life. And after analyzing it the whole year, we identified two things that turned his spiritual life around. It was because of this two things that brought about such exponential growth.

Firstly, it was fasting and praying.

Every year, during the Ramadan, Muslims have to fast from dusk till dawn. Rasheed, being in a Muslim family and having Muslim friends looking at him, had to fast as well. Thus, he set out to fast and pray during the period as well. One of his prayer during his fast was to grow even more and get closer with God. This was during the October period. So he fasted and prayed.

And change began.

For the next 2 months, in November and December, God really grew him. Rasheed began to see the importance of serving God, he began to become more teachable, he began to ask questions about God, he began to want to change, he began to care for his brother and so much more. There were so many changes in his life. Praise be to God.

Secondly, it was time.

After thinking through, i realize that i spent a whole lot of time together with him during this holiday. Because of his availability, he came to find me every now and then to spend time with me. Such as those nights when i had to do my projects overnight. Not only so, he also stick with me everywhere i go. Literally. He will always want to to go wherever i go just hang around me. HAHAHA. Not that i am praising myself, but seriously, it was through these times that God made him see how i live and lead my life. Though we may not know what exactly he learnt, but one thing for sure was that he caught my spirit and convictions. He have seen how to lead a Christian life. And it was through those times that i was able to teach when there is any opportunity. That is why another factor that made his life grow was time. 

Seriously, i do not think that i have done a lot. I do not think that i shepherded him exactly well. So, it is really God who used me to teach him and impart to him.

Ultimately, it was God in the picture that allowed him to grow so much just within this 2 months.

2 learning points

1) If one wants to grow, fast and pray about it; depend on God. How much you desire and lay your dependence on Him will determine how much you will grow.

2) It takes deliberate effort to take lots of time and make lots of effort to disciple someone. Life impartation is crucial.