Monthly Archives: August 2024

I recently asked some teens whether they thought it was easier for a leader to be a follower or a follower to be a leader. The group split and shared their reasons for their thinking. What do you think? I shared how last fall I produced a theater show and how I had to make a lot of the main decisions for the show. Then this spring I did concessions for the next show. When people started asking me questions, I started making executive decisions thinking I was helping the leader. Instead I got a call from the producer reminding me those weren’t my decisions to make. It was difficult for me to go from making my own decisions to submitting and following what someone else decided because we had different opinions about how things should go.

In Matthew 4:19-20 we read how Jesus walked up to fishermen who owned their own businesses. It says, “Jesus called out to them, ‘Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!’ And they left their nets at once and followed him” (NLT). They immediately went from making executive decisions about their lives to submitting to Him before anyone knew who He was. Contrast that with Matthew 8:18-22 where a person called out to Jesus asking to follow Him and Jesus let him know he was going to have to give up everything. Then Jesus asked someone else to follow Him. The man replied that he would after his father died and he got his inheritance. Each of these people acted like they wanted to follow Jesus, but they weren’t ready to give up executive decisions for their lives.

In John 14:15 Jesus said, “If you [really] love Me, you will keep and obey My commandments” (AMP). It’s easy to say a prayer asking Jesus into your heart. What’s hard is giving Him lordship over your life where you give up your rights to decide how you live. We identify with the commitment of the disciples, but often live like the two other people who didn’t want to submit. If you look at your life right now, would it reflect that Jesus is in charge of the decisions for your life or that He simply guides them? It’s hard to go from the leader of your life to following someone else deciding for you, especially since His way is at war with our flesh. His call still goes out to us to follow Him. Will you become a follower who keeps and obeys His commandments?

Photo by Chris Barbalis on Unsplash

In high school, our coach was also our P.E. instructor. He would use that class as a conditioning class for us as well. We did a ton of calisthenics and core building . One particular exercise was very tough. We called it the Roman Chair. Each student lined up against the walls of the gym. When he blew the whistle, we had to sink down until our knee was at a right angle. We then had to hold it for a few minutes. Our legs would shake under the pressure and pain. When coach would turn around, some kids would ease up the wall to relieve the pressure. When he started to turn back around, they would quickly go back down to keep from getting caught. If he caught them, we all had to add another minute. It turns out that the people who kept trying to relieve the pressure, only hurt themselves. Their muscles, tolerance and core didn’t build or strengthen like they should have.

After David defeated Goliath, he went from a nobody to a household name quickly. That put a target on his back from King Saul. At times he swerved in the kings court and other times he ran for his life. After a while he was only on the run forcing him to live in caves, search for food and figure out who to trust. He lived under constant pressure. There were a couple of instances where he had the opportunity to take Saul’s life and gain the kingdom, but he resisted the urge to relieve the pressure he was under. His advisers kept urging to kill Saul, but David didn’t break. He understood God was in control and would give him the kingdom when He was ready to. It turns out that God was strengthening and preparing David to be the best king he could be through those years of being under pressure.

Hebrews 10:36 says, “Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised” (NLT). The Amplified version adds that we should bear up under the pressures without compromising. When the pressure is on us, the easy thing is to ease up that wall, dispose of our problems or do something to relieve the pressure. However, God uses pressure to strengthen, condition and prepare us for the future He has for us. If you’re constantly trying to get out from under the pressure today, you will be underdeveloped for tomorrow. Patient endurance, the ability to bear up under the pressure, is what we need right now. When we learn to remain under what He brings our way, we will be able to receive all that He has for us. Instead of praying or trying to remove the pressure, ask God to give you the endurance you need so He can prepare you fully.

Photo credit Microsoft Copilot

When I was a kid, our church would have dinner on the grounds. I’m our case, that meant the gymnasium. Coming from a family of talkers meant that we were usually at the back of that line. I was always worried that I wouldn’t get something good or I’d get a small portion because that would be all that’s left. To compensate, I learned early on that as we were finally sitting down, the front of the line was finishing their meal. So as soon as I got my plate, I headed for the dessert tables. We may have been last to the food, but I was going to be first to the desserts! I would always look for the best dessert and get the biggest portion.

In Genesis 13, Abraham and his nephew Lot realized their flocks were all the grass and their shepherds had begun to fight over who got dibs on what grass that was left. Abraham then offered Lot a solution. Lot could choose whatever portion of land he wanted and Abraham woul go the opposite way and take that portion. Lot looked at both portions carefully. He choose the one that had lush, green grass and was well watered. He then pitched his tent in the direction of Sodom and Gomorrah. He was looking to the land and city to provide for him. Abraham gave Lot the first choice because he understood that whatever portion he got, God was going to provide. The portion he was dealt wasn’t his source, God was.

Psalm 73 is a psalm of Asaph who learned how to trust and worship God from David. This psalm has a very personal tone and reflects on the blessings of trusting in God. Verse 26 says, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (ESV). The writer understood like Abraham that hard times come and go, and that in the hardest of times, we can’t rely on our own strength or ability to provide for ourselves. God is our strength and provider. It doesn’t matter what Lot you have been handed. Your life could be in the well watered, lush area, perfectly positioned right now or you could be in the desert looking for a blade of grass. Either way, put your hope and your trust in God. He is your portion and it’s the best portion despite what you see with your eyes.

Photo by Nikola Majksner on Unsplash