Can you please share your water with me?

                                                                                                          Photo by Nelvin C. Cepeda

A Disciple Making Parable

Andy is on the course of the toughest footrace in the world, the Badwater Ultramarathon.  It is 135 miles of suffering during the month of July starting at more than 200 feet below sea level in Death Valley, Ca.  The air temperature hovers around 120 degrees and the temperature of the road surface is over 180 degrees.  Andy has had to change shoes twice, because the soles melted.  He eventually figured out that the temperature on the narrow white line in the road was just “cool” enough to keep his shoes from melting.  So he moved forward.

Over the course of the race, the runners are scattered.  They are all in the same race but they are alone in the journey. Andy is hot.  He is questioning everything about the race. “Why am I here?” “What is the point?” “Can I make it?”  “I am thirsty.”  Andy is actually on the verge of quitting.  The thirst is so strong.  His mouth is dry. He needs water.  But he has none.

As he turns a corner he encounters another runner, a stronger runner.  His name is Pete.  Pete has been a runner a little longer than Andy.  He doesn’t think of himself as elite or special, just a runner in the race.  But, Pete has something that catches Andy’s attention and even gives him a small amount of hope.

Pete has a small water bottle that looks to be about half full, maybe 8 or 10 ounces.  With excitement of the possibility of having a some of his thirst quenched and being able to continue, Andy says, “Excuse me, can you please share your water with me? I am so thirsty.”

It is obvious to Pete that Andy is in need. It is obvious that he is tired, alone, hurting, hot, running on empty.  It is obvious that Andy is thirsty.

So, Pete looks at his small water bottle then looks at Andy. What does Pete do?  Pete looks right at Andy saying, “I see that you are really thirsty and need help. But all I have is the small bottle.  If I had a case of water, maybe I would be able to help you in the race. Good luck.  I hope it works out.”  Then Pete runs on leaving Andy with no water. Still Thirsty. He would have loved even a sip of that water, but Pete gave him none because he didn’t think he had enough.

The Parable Explained

One of the most common responses I get when challenging people to make disciples is “I don’t know enough yet.  I am not ready.  I still need to focus on me.”  I understand that response but it does not reflect the truth of Scripture.  You would never deny a thirsty man a drink just because you only had a small amount to give.  In the same way, you should never believe that you do not have enough Jesus in you to help someone else grow closer to Him.  If you have a relationship with Jesus, you have more than enough! Look at what the Bible says is TRUE about YOU.

2 Peter 1:3

“His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”

Col. 2:9-10

“For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, and you have been filled by Him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.”

1 Thess. 2:4

“Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak…”

As a Christ follower, you have everything you need.  Of course we all need to grow more.  We need to learn new things.  I have a list of things I think every disciple maker needs to grow in.  But remember that RIGHT NOW you are filled with Jesus.  You are approved by Jesus.  You are trusted by Jesus.  So speak.  Love. Invest. Share. Walk along side. Listen. Weep. Laugh. Give yourself.  You are “Pete” and I am sure there is an “Andy” close to you. He would love a drink of the living water inside of you.

You have what it takes.

You are the person for the job.

You can begin to make disciples right now.