Always holding someone up ∙
You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. – John 15:16
John 5:24 I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.
John 1:12 But to all who have received him – those who believe in his name– he has given the right to become God’s children
On the afternoon of June 18, 1956, ten people were in a powerboat on Schroon Lake. Suddenly, a wave struck the boat, hurtling two of them into the water, a young girl and Dawson Trotman. Dawson held the young girl above water long enough for her to be rescued. Dawson, however, drowned. Time magazine published his obituary with the caption under Dawson’s picture, “Always holding someone up.”
The Father took Dawson home at the time appointed by Him in eternity past. Dawson had spent 30 years in Christian ministry. He founded the Navigators, which focused on discipleship and Bible memory. But things did not begin that well for Trotman.
His father was an atheistic cowboy who wound up living in Arizona. Trotman was on a gallop down the same dusty trail until the Father intervened. He was arrested for driving under the influence. The policeman asked, “Do you like this kind of life?”
Trotman replied, “Sir, I hate it.” Three hours later, he sobered up. He pledged to do better, and the policeman returned his keys to him.
He soon found himself in a church and began memorizing Scripture. He memorized John 5:24 I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. Trotman realized that he did not have eternal life. He prayed, “O God, whatever that means, I want to have it.”
A verse flashed into his mind, “But as many as received Him [Jesus], to them he gave the power to become sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12). Immediately, Dawson pleaded with God, “Whatever it means to receive Jesus, I do it right now.”
His life changed. And he began to devour the word of God, memorizing as he went. He taught a sailor named Les Spencer how to live for Christ. Another sailor asked Spencer what secret had changed his life. Spencer brought the man to Trotman and asked him to teach the other sailor. Trotman told Spencer, “You teach him!” That was the beginning of the Navigators. It was 1933.
Spencer and his shipmate were soon teaching 125 men aboard the USS West Virginia. They, in turn, taught others aboard many other ships. Lamentably, several of those ships were destined to be sunk at Pearl Harbor.
At the core of his ministry were many important scriptures; one that stands out is, You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name (John 15:16).
Dawson Trotman was born and then reborn to reproduce.
What about the rest of us?
REFLECT & PRAY
“Soul winners are not soul winners because of what they know, but because of Who they know, and how well they know Him, and how much they long for others to know Him” (Dawson Trotman).
Father, thank You for choosing us as Your children. Thank You for inviting us into the family business of redemption. Please enable us to go and produce lasting fruit.
INSIGHT
Pause a moment to grasp the magnitude of what the Lord Jesus Christ has done. Reflect on His words in John 15:15, where He says, “I no longer call you slaves because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends since I have told you everything the Father told me.”
This is truly astonishing. The Lord Jesus Christ has invited us to become friends with Him, not simply as followers or servants. It is even more incredible to realize that we are already His friends! We became friends when He declared, “Now you are my friends.” Our friendship was initiated by Him, the Son of God! How should we respond to such an awe-inspiring fact? The only fitting response is a wholehearted, unreserved “Yes! A thousand times, Yes!”
Can you imagine a better BFF than the Lord Jesus Christ? I can’t.
But friendship with Christ isn’t just about personal connection. It is purpose-driven. Jesus has called us to bear fruit. What kind of fruit? To answer that, we must first ask another question: What kind of business is the Father God in? Scripture makes it clear—He is in the Redemption Business. His heart desires that no one perishes but that everyone would possess eternal life. He offers eternal life to all.
Revelation 22:17 beautifully extends this invitation, saying, “Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.
Here’s where we come in. The Father has invited us to join Him in His redemptive work. We are not just recipients of His grace but participants in His mission. He has appointed us to go and produce lasting fruit. What does this fruit look like? Lasting fruit are people just like us. They hear the message and come to the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ in faith.
William Barclay described the rhythm of this calling beautifully, saying, “Jesus chose us, first to come to Him, and then to go out to the world. And that must be the daily pattern and rhythm of our lives.” Relationship with Christ flows into partnership with Christ.
Now think about this—can we truly bring joy and glory to the Father? Yes! John 15:8 reminds us, “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great honor to my Father.” “Jesus chose us, first to come to him, and then to go out to the world. And that must be the daily pattern and rhythm of our lives” (Barclay).
How do we bear this fruit? Jesus shows us the way in John 15:1-5:
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.”
“Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me, you can do nothing.”
In some remarkable way, the children of the King have become fused to the Lord Jesus Christ. We are united with Him. This is the key to fruitfulness—remaining united with Christ. He is the vine, and we are the branches. Our role is to stay connected, allowing His life force to flow through us. Grapes don’t grow on the main vine; they grow on the branches. And for fruit to flourish, the branches need to stay attached to the vine and abide.
What does this abiding look like? Simply put, it means staying close to Jesus. “Hang in there. “ He does the rest. “Continue to be a part of me even as I am a part of you” or “continue to be joined to me even as I will remain joined to you” (UBS). The result is much fruit.
Jesus reminds us that we are not slaves. Slaves were considered tools in Greek law, existing to obey orders without understanding the reasoning behind them. But Jesus declares, “You are not my slaves; you are my partners.” He has opened His heart and shared His mind with us. Everything He has heard from the Father, He has shared with us. We are His friends and partners, co-laborers in the mission of leading the world to God. “Needs help and then this stuff is left over and I can’t do it The tremendous choice laid before us is that we can accept or refuse partnership with Christ in the work of leading the world to God” (Barclay). The choice is ours.
¯_(ツ)_/¯5-15-2
© Dr. H 2025
Living as Disciples
Partnership with Christ requires commitment. To live as His true disciples, we must cultivate a teachable spirit, allow His Word to shape our hearts, and stay rooted in His love. We are called to a life of excellence and growth, continually seeking deeper understanding and connection with Him.
2 Timothy 2:15 challenges us to “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” This is not a casual calling—it demands diligence, persistence, and zeal. The original Greek word for “work hard” (spoudazo) carries the sense of doing our utmost with eagerness and passion.
We are the children of the King, and there is no room for complacency in our faith. To know and share God’s Word requires effort, intention, and a deep-rooted commitment. Paul reminds us that this isn’t optional; it’s the path to living a life of purpose and honor before God.
Fruit That Lasts
If, at times, you find yourself faltering, prone to foolishness or distraction, take heart. Commit yourself afresh to abiding in Christ. Set your focus on bearing fruit that glorifies the Father. Strive for excellence in all you do, seeking wisdom, understanding, and a deeper relationship with God.
You’ve been invited into the most extraordinary partnership imaginable—friendship with the Son of God and a shared mission in the Father’s kingdom. Say yes to this friendship. Say yes to this calling. And with His strength, go and bear fruit that lasts.
Dr H Reflections 