‘THERE ONCE WAS a judo master whose student was involved in a serious auto accident. The ten-year-old boy’s left arm was so badly injured that it had to be amputated. Everyone thought that would end the boy’s judo aspirations. However, the loss of an arm only increased the boy’s determination to compete. So, despite the amputation, the judo master agreed to continue training the boy, but he focused all the training on one extremely difficult move. The boy complained, wanting to be just like the others who were learning all aspects of the sport. The old master convinced his one-armed student not to question but to learn. So they practiced that one move day after day, week after week, month after month. Eventually the one-armed boy was allowed to enter a judo tournament where he surprised everyone by advancing through several rounds and into the finals. His opponent in the championship round was faster, stronger, and more experienced. This guy had mastered dozens of judo techniques. And he had two arms. The one-armed boy seemed completely outmatched. Spectators admired his courage and determination but felt sorry for him. Then at one point in the contest the superior athlete lost concentration. At that moment the one-armed boy executed his one move. There was nothing his opponent could do to escape. After the match everyone wanted to know how a one-armed boy could possibly be the champion. “He won for two reasons,” his teacher answered. “First of all, he has mastered one of the most difficult moves in all of judo. Second, the only defense against that move is to grab your opponent’s left arm.” I do not know if the story is true, but… The one move we have committed ourselves to mastering is this: a simple, biblical, transferable discipleship process.’ - Steve Murrell, WikiChurch: Making Discipleship Engaging, Empowering, and Viral. Charisma House. Kindle Edition (2011:26-28)
Discipleship is the one ‘move’ without which the church can make no difference and with which the church can make all the difference. We can’t out-entertain the world, but we can out-disciple it!
So, let’s start practising.
Yours in Christ
Hennie
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