Something happened to me yesterday that hasn't happened in a long time. I had coffee with a stranger who attends The Vineyard. That happens all the time...that wasn't the odd thing. The surprising thing was his posture. He wasn't in crisis, at least not the dramatic sort of crisis many of the people I meet with seem to be in. He wasn't trying to sell me on anything. Most amazingly, he didn't say what so many people say to me in similar situations - that he wanted to "pick my brain" or "get some advice." It would be wrong for me to tell you his name or story in a public forum, but let me just say he began our conversation with this, "I want to know God better and I need a coach. I want you to be my coach and kick my butt."
That got my attention. Christians talk a lot about discipleship. We have discipleship programs, philosophies and goals. Many of us carry around guilt because we aren't discipling someone or being discipled.
It appears to me that what many of us need is the humility and courage to approach someone with this attitude. I wonder what would happen if everyone reading this went to someone ahead of them in the journey and said, "I need your help. Tell me what to do and I will do it. Kick my butt."
