The Joy of the Lord
posted by Navigators on March 6th, 2026 in Discipleship | Evangelism | Joy
By Dustyn McLaren, Queensland Labouring Community
Sam rang the other day to say he was meeting with a new person this week, he asked me to pray, and we tossed around ideas of what to share with this guy who has a limited understanding of Christianity. It is so exciting to see one of the young guys God has allowed me to invest in sharing things he’s learned with others.
He is also already three sessions into meeting with another fellow from his work who came along to church last month andrededicated himself to Jesus. Sam and I met together with him a couple of weeks ago at a cafe, enjoying the morning sharing the table with our coffees and Bibles.I had spent time with Sam teaching him the Bridge Illustration and was now supporting him as he shared it with his workmate.
For me the joy of being used by the Lord to invest into others’ lives is such a rewarding experience. To see someone continuing to disciple following the commanded pattern for Christians since Jesus said, “Go make Disciples…” I love being able to equip people like Sam and continue to be an encouragement to him. Co-labouring with God. For He no longer calls us servants but friends, for we know the Master’s business.
I get to spend a great amount of time talking to the Lord about these guys. Praying for what is going on in their lives, with their friends and family, their work struggles, car crashes even. And constantly praying for God to provide them a faithful man that they can pour themselves into, who will be able to teach others also.
This joy doesn’t come without heartache as well. When we care about people and see them struggle, it hurts – to see them not putting time aside for God, wrestling against sin, falling out with friends, moving away where I can’t easily keep in touch, and also knowing I sometimes fall victim to the same struggles. But we persevere in joy because God continues to work. “Do not fear for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 I feel so blessed to be doing this full time. There is nothing else I would rather do than sit with someone with our Bibles open, poring over the word of God and seeing them learn and grow. But we need more labourers. Sometimes there are more people and opportunities than we have the time and capacity to meet. And so, I pray and invite people to join us because there is true joy in what we do, in our labouring, because we labour for the God of the universe, we labour with Him. His yolk is easy, and His burden is light. And we are labouring for the ultimate purpose, the most meaningful work in existence.
Whether full time or part time, as we go, make disciples. As a pray-er, as a supporter.
The Joy of the Lord is our strength.
Dustyn is part of our Queensland Labouring Community. He leads the work at a local university on the Sunshine Coast, supported by his wife and daughters. If you’d like to find out more about Dustyn’s ministry or support his work, visit his Staff Profile page. We’d also love to hear from you if you are interested in labouring with us!
Featured image of man having a Bible Study by digitalskillet, used under licence via CanvaPro.