The Pacing of Jesus ... Part I
Over the last few weeks I have noticed again how ragged many leaders are. They seem to be ‘sucking air’ while diligently serving where they have been placed by God to serve. As many of you already know the ‘finishing well’ and ‘ways of God’ themes are ones I have been associated with now for many years, and I have to say when I look at some leaders through these sets of lenses I find myself really concerned.
I am reminded of a journey through the Gospels that I embarked on a number of years ago as I sought to understand the ‘pacing of Jesus.’ Maybe what I discovered will be an encouragement or offer some mid-course correction for you as it has for me. I found that Jesus’ compass as it related to dictating ‘His pace’ included the following:
• He was secure in who He was/where He came from/where he was going so He could serve – Jn.13:1-5
• He did only what the Father was doing – Jn.5:19-20
• He was motivated by obedience, not driven by needs –Jn.11:1-44 (note that He did not go right away)
• He rested with his friends for awhile – Mk.6:31
• He knew that His vision could only be fulfilled by discipling and multiplying within others – Mt.28:18-20
When you have an opportunity to ‘break your stride’ for a few moments, take a peek at these truths by reflecting on the Scriptures that accompany them and see if you are aligned to the pacing of Jesus.
~DB
Thanks, Dave. I need that at least once daily, to free me to keep doing what I know God has called me to do.
In 10 years in Uganda, I have experienced the joy in seeing the fruit of invested life (and continue to see it as I get updates on what some of the people I invested in are doing in ministry).
Now that we are back in stateside ministry, there is so much pressure from the rest of the body of Christ, both direct and indirect, to "produce," to create cool systems and curb appeal ministry that draws the crowds and appear to have big immediate results. And the temptation to jump into the machine at breakneck pace is constantly in front of me.
But I know the way of Jesus, though often slow, messy, and painful, and not immediately recognized, appreciated or rewarded is the way to go.
Thanks for being God's vessel for the day, to slow my heart, mind and soul once again, to help me get in step with Him as I seek to allow Him to multiply His life through me into the lives of others.
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