A 40 Day Journey to Becoming Like the One We Follow

Day 27: Responsiveness (Mark 5:30)

One indicator of good leadership, in my opinion, is the ability to respond rather than react. It’s something I’m trying to get better at, honestly.

Too many leaders today are reactive. There always has to be a hot-take, an opinion, a “heated discussion” about whatever is happening in the world. And our “leaders” are reacting with harsh words, thoughtless actions, and all kinds of negative emotions.

But there’s a reason EMTs are more respected and highly thought of than our politicians and newscasters. First responders are trained to do exactly that – respond. They have to know what to do in any given situation, no matter how intense, dangerous, or life-threatening. The last thing you want from a first responder is panic.

Just as Jesus was never rushed or hurried, he also never panicked. Storm threatening to sink the boat? No worries. A demon-possessed man running out to you screaming? Calm, cool, and collected. Crowd wanting to arrest and kill him? Ope, just gonna slip right past ya.

We want leaders who keep their composure, not panic. Who respond with a plan, not react in fear or anger. Who remain confidently in charge of the situation, not abandoning ship.

But there’s one story in particular where maybe Jesus should have been a bit more rushed, maybe even panicked. He was on the way to heal a little girl who was sick to the point of death. The crowds were pressing in against him as they tried to make their way to the house. But then Jesus stopped. He was so in tune with God’s power at work within him that he felt someone get healed by touching his clothes.

He stopped. Time is of the essence, and he stopped in the middle of the road and wouldn’t proceed until he figured out what happened. Finally a woman came forward, and Jesus commended her faith.

Jesus was responsive to the needs of others. She needed not just healing but restoration into the community. Jesus knew her story needed to be told.

But what about the girl? Oh, she died. But she got better.

Like Jesus, let’s be more responsive and less reactive.

A 40 Day Journey to Becoming Like the One We Follow

Day 26: Comfort (Matthew 11:28-30)

We all like to be comfortable. Sometimes we take that to the extreme. How many of us stocked up on comfy pants during COVID lockdowns? You probably have a comfortable chair you always sit in. You develop routines because going through the same routines is comfortable.

There are definitely times when Jesus challenges this kind of comfort – take up your cross and follow me, and so on. But Jesus also offered comfort, too. The crowds were like sheep without a shepherd. They were living under an oppressive governmental system, made worse by an oppressive religious system, too. Life seemed bleak and hopeless for many.

The prevailing idea was that if they just tried hard enough and followed the religious laws closely enough, then God would act on their behalf to drive out the oppressors and reestablish Israel as an independent nation once again. It was a pipe dream. No one could live up to that level of religious perfection.

It was like a heavy yoke strapped around your shoulders weighing you down. You couldn’t win! There were no good options for the average Jew.

And then Jesus came along. He empowered people to break free from the yokes of bondage, whether political or religious. He offered a new way, a way that was difficult, yes, but it ultimately brought freedom and comfort.

If you’re weary, stressed out, riddled with anxiety, struggling under the weight of life – come to Jesus. No yelling. No judgment. No “you should…” No “if I were you…” No “I told you so.”

Just rest and peace and comfort. His yoke is easy – there is still work to do but he is no slave driver. His burden is light – take the weight off your shoulders and let him carry it for a bit. He’s humble and gentle, no drill sergeant. You’ll find rest for the deep part of you that’s always tired. Real rest.

A 40 Day Journey to Becoming Like the One We Follow

Day 25: Power (Mark 4:41)

I don’t think most of us know what real power is.

We can get close. Maybe you’ve been to an Indy Car race as the drivers barrel down the track at breakneck speeds, engines roaring. Maybe you’ve been to a monster truck rally, as the vehicular behemoths fly through the air over a pile of crushed cars. Maybe you’ve seen a feat of athletic performance that left you stunned and speechless.

But what is real power? What would we even do if we encountered it?

We have the technology to predict a storm, but we are nowhere near powerful enough to stop a storm dead in its tracks. We can treat mental illness, but we are nowhere near powerful enough to cure someone outright. We can provide medical treatment, but we can’t bring the dead back to life.

Jesus could. He could do all those things. Mark 4:35 through the end of ch 5 contains the most prominent displays of Christ’s power while here on earth. He calmed a storm, drove out demons, healed an incurable disease, and raised a girl from the dead.

And how did people react? They were terrified!

Which is more terrifying: the storm or someone who can control the weather? the demons or the one who can command the demons? death or the one who can bend it to his own will?

When we come face to face with real power we can’t help but be dreadfully aware of our own powerlessness – and that’s horrifying. God’s power is something to be feared, revered, and respected. But God is good. Jesus is good. The Spirit is good.

Let’s reflect in awe and wonder on the one whose power is on full display around us and in us and through us.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10

Imagine two neighboring nations. One feels slighted or insulted by the other. Retaliation. Revenge. Shows of strength. Gathering of forces. Threats escalating. Battle lines drawn up. Battle drums. War cries. Impassioned calls to arms. The two armies—with most soldiers not even knowing why they are fighting—charge each other. But before any strike is laid, God Almighty and his heavenly army swoops down from the heavens. Suddenly spears explode. Shields erupt into flame. Bows break in the archers’ hands. As both armies stop dead in their tracks with confusion and bewilderment, a voice like thunder rings out:

BE STILL! AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD. I WILL BE EXALTED AMONG THE NATIONS. I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH.

Continue reading → God of Hosts

Fear of man will prove to be a snare,

but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

Proverbs 29:25

Deep down we all want to be accepted. We all want to belong. It’s in our nature. We are the most social creatures on the planet. Humans literally die in isolation. And because of this we all end up doing stupid stuff through junior high, high school, even into college and beyond in order to fit in. Socialization is part of self-preservation.

Continue reading → Almost Famous

Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

What does it mean to be a Christian? Don’t we all wonder about that sometimes? The world gives so many mixed messages out there about religion, life, politics, worldview, etc. If we only relied on what others told us about being a Christian, especially through the media, we would get utterly confused and completely lost.

Continue reading → Explain Like I’m Five

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4:10

Do you know what I think is one of the biggest detriments to the local church? The “professionalization” of ministry. (And I say this as a full-time minister.) Why is this such a problem? Because if churches can pay someone to do a task – preach, teach, lead worship, oversee administrative tasks, etc. – then other people don’t have to.

Continue reading → Gifted & Talented