Hello New Life,

I was listening to a book recently and the author told a story about how he had seen one of his friends, who was a black belt in karate, do a spinning roundhouse kick and break a wooden board with his foot that was moving faster than he thought possible. He then said to his friend, “I don’t think I could ever do that.” His friend responded with a mantra that is often said by his karate teacher, “A black belt is just a white belt that keeps showing up.” I’ve been reflecting on that the past few days and also working it into conversation to encourage people to keep showing up for others. So many people I’ve talked to over the years who have wanted to be great parents or friends or disciples of Jesus have often asked what do I need to do? My answer is usually very similar: keep showing up for the people in your life.

Be present, ask them how they are doing, offer to pray for them and then pray for them, take the time to do life-on-life discipleship with them, be a consistent presence at church gatherings. To be completely honest there are days that I don’t want to do any of those things and I’m tired of showing up and feel discouraged or even depressed. And then I try to pray and ask God for help and ask Him what I should do, and I most often I feel a nudge, an invitation, or even a calling to keep showing up because that’s what He has always done for me. I’d love to invite you to do the same this week and beyond.

Sincerely,

Nik, on Behalf of the Elder and Minister Team