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 Whatever career or calling we choose, success requires practice. Whether a person is flipping hamburgers, performing surgery, teaching a class, or learning a trade, one thing is still clear: skills grow through repeated effort. Thousands of years ago Confucius said it best, “I hear and I forget. I see and remember. I do and I understand.” Jesus also understood this truth. He knew that faith, like any meaningful discipline, becomes stronger when it is practiced and lived out. It was time for the disciples to have practical on-the-job training. 

 

One bright morning, Jesus quietly admitted, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So, pray to the Lord who oversees the harvest; ask Him to send more workers into the field.” (Luke 10:2) For over a year the disciples have traveled with Jesus, saw the miracles, and watched Him transform lives.  Now it was time for the twelve to practice this experiment in holy living. With this in mind, “He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.” (Mark 6:7).  

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The insecurities, the apprehension of trying something new filled the twelve as Jesus sent them out. Each must have gone with uncertainty—we're just ordinary folks. What do we know about witnessing or performing miracles? 

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His next command made it even more difficult. “Take nothing except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts.” (Mark 6:8) The hardships of the journey were necessary to prepare them for the future. A life of sheer dependence upon others for food, housing, or even a clean garment.  

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Matthew and his partner possibly remembered the journey this way: As the twelve of us broke into groups of two, there was excitement, uncertainty, and apprehension all mixed together. My partner was excited, but my mind struggled with the uncertainty of the upcoming task. I was fearful about trying to be Yahweh’s representative. Was I ready? 

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We left camp and started east. After walking for about half a day, we came across two families enjoying a break at a small stream. The children were splashing at each other and giggling at who had just been soaked. This was a picture of pure joy.  

As we approached, I heard a young lad ask his mama to join them. “No baby, the water’s too cold for me.” That was also my feelings in the brisk breeze. Asking if we could join them, they politely said, “Sure, if you don't mind the children.”  

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I suddenly saw an opening for a conversation. I described how a “great friend” loved having children around him. In fact, I told them, he once said, “The kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these little children.” I continued by saying, “This friend of mine wishes for others to have hearts as pure as these youngsters, enjoying life without worries about tomorrow.” 

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Then one of the men replied, “I wish that were my life.” The man's wistful reply tugged at my heartstrings, reminding me of my own journey towards finding peace and purpose through Jesus. But it also opened the door for my partner and I to tell them about this “friend of mine,” As we talked, time passed away, and before we knew it, one of the families invited us to share their meal and then put us up for the night. 

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As I lay down that night, I marveled at how easily the sharing about Jesus was. For two days, we stayed with them and shared our testimony with them and their other neighbors. When it was time to depart, we moved on to another village, but my confidence in trusting the Spirit to guide our steps grew. Not everyone was receptive to our message, but I knew success was worth the moments of rejection. 

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This journey taught me a profound truth: victory is often shaped through the pain of both failure and success. I felt the sting of the moments when I relied on my own strength and fell short. Yet again and again, I refocused, stood back up, and tried once more. Each victory—no matter how small—brought me closer to becoming a true servant. 

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I thought often of the verses from Jeremiah’s book of Lamentations, “The Lord’s loving kindnesses never ceases, his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22) 

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Thank you, Jehovah, my faithful Father.