Michael Card is an accomplished Christian singer, song writer and author. He has
recorded some 38 albums, one of which includes the well-known song “El Shaddai.” He
has written 28 books including a favorite of mine, A Fragile Stone (a look at the
emotional life of the apostle, Peter). He is a big deal in Christian circles.
But as a freshman at Western Kentucky University, Card had a lot of questions. Many of
those queries were directed to one of his professors, Dr. William L. Lane. Dr. Lane is a
New Testament scholar probably best known for his commentaries on the gospel of
Mark and the book of Hebrews.
When Card first confronted Dr. Lane with his questions, Dr. Lane responded by saying
“come take a walk with me.” And for 6 years, as they meandered around campus, Dr.
Lane poured himself into Michael. It was a “divine encounter for a greater purpose.”
Those lifechanging walks were a personal form of discipleship, a living and breathing
mentorship that helped them both “unwrap Jesus.”
Eventually, Dr. Lane moved away to the northwest and Card moved to Nashville. Their
busy lives were filled with each man’s creative efforts to point people to the Lord.
But one day, Dr. Lane was diagnosed with terminal cancer (multiple myeloma), and he
called Card and announced a profound personal decision. He told Michael, “My wife
and I are going to move to Nashville to be near you. We need to continue our walks. I
want to show you how a Christian man dies.”
“We need to continue our walks!” What an amazing form of mentorship, face to face,
heart to heart, right to the very end of life!
Their story has given me much to think about.
Maybe this week you and I can begin to pray for someone to disciple like that. Let’s ask
the Lord for someone to pour into, someone to influence for the gospel’s sake. We may
not be professional Christian authors; but we can share our spiritual experiences with a
friend.
We can share what we are reading in the scriptures. We can share what our prayer life
is like. We can share our struggles and our victories over sin. We can give them the
benefit of our spiritual ups and downs. We can keep it real.
So, let’s go take a walk with a friend!