School of Disciples = Vacation with Jesus

Yay back to blogging!

Last Saturday night Sarah took me, my mom, and Jasmine to eat at Savoy. Before the waitress brought us the food, Sarah talked to mom about school of disciples. That was how I finally told my mom about quitting school and joining the School of Disciples. If it wasn't for Sarah I don't know when I was going to tell my mom.

The conversation didn't go too well, Mom's face was all dark and worried. So we let the topic rest and talked about other stuff.

Yesterday afternoon Mom brought up the subject again while we were talking about my bank account. Throughout that entire conversation, God gave me such peace and confidence that I was able to calmly explain to my mom about how I need to lay down everything to follow Jesus. I didn't know until later that Sarah overheard our conversation in the restroom and was praying hard for me (haha, imagine Sarah rocking back and forth, filled with Holy Spirit, praying fervently...in the restroom. Thank you sis!).

Because of Sarah's prayer, I was able to convince Mom that I was going to join the School of Disciples no matter what. My trust in Jesus increased after that conversation. I realized that I really need to know my identity: I am first God's child, and then I am my mom's child; my obedience to God is primary, and my obedience to my mom is secondary. God helped me to answer all of my mom's tough questions with His Word:

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'" (Matthew16:24)

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'" (Matthew10:37~39)

When I told my mom that joining School of Disciples will help me depend on God more, she asked me, "Why must you test your faith like this? Why do you have to put yourself in such a position without money or anything and depend on God to provide you? Why can't you just go to school, get a job when you graduate, and serve God with your money?"

I answered that Jesus actually sent His disciples out and told them not to take any money with them:

"These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions:...Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts;take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.'" (Matthew10:5,9,10)

We really need to lay down absolutely everything, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. I for one am really excited about School of Disciples, it's like taking a vacation with Jesus!