1 Corinthians 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ
Today while thinking through some of the aspects of leadership displayed in Jesus, a new concept popped into my mind. I had never thought of this as a leadership trait, but I began to think of the importance of the resilience displayed by Jesus throughout His ministry.
Living life the way God intends is difficult. Doing what's right has never been easy. Sadly, the reality of the world is that people either embrace or reject truth-- there is no in-between. And when you are the messenger for God, you often get shot down. Even though I have grown accustomed to this natural tendency of people, it still hurts when the people you care about reject you for the truth you carry.
The point is, difficult circumstances become discouraging when we are living by faith and not getting positive results. Today, I realized that Jesus truly has been there and felt the same way. Think back to His disciples. He spent day and night with these men. They were constantly around Him while He was preaching to others, performing miracles, and ministering to them personally. And yet, there are many times when Jesus expresses His frustration at them.
Today while thinking through some of the aspects of leadership displayed in Jesus, a new concept popped into my mind. I had never thought of this as a leadership trait, but I began to think of the importance of the resilience displayed by Jesus throughout His ministry.
Living life the way God intends is difficult. Doing what's right has never been easy. Sadly, the reality of the world is that people either embrace or reject truth-- there is no in-between. And when you are the messenger for God, you often get shot down. Even though I have grown accustomed to this natural tendency of people, it still hurts when the people you care about reject you for the truth you carry.
The point is, difficult circumstances become discouraging when we are living by faith and not getting positive results. Today, I realized that Jesus truly has been there and felt the same way. Think back to His disciples. He spent day and night with these men. They were constantly around Him while He was preaching to others, performing miracles, and ministering to them personally. And yet, there are many times when Jesus expresses His frustration at them.
Matthew 17:16-17 “I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”
“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” (NIV)
Mark 16:14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. (NIV)
Those sound like harsh words. But I imagine Jesus saying, "How many times do I have to tell you?" These were the people who knew Him best and they still could not grasp the messages He was teaching! That's downright frustrating. But what did Jesus do? He kept on marching on. He kept going. He kept teaching. It should be the same way for us. When we are ministering to others and they just aren't getting it, we should have the resilience and patience to be steadfast in our leadership and not lose hope.
Besides His disciples, people around Jesus were constantly rejecting Him and trying to kill Him off! For example, before Jesus was crucified, Pontius Pilate even gave the people the option of saving Jesus or another man who had committed a crime from the death sentence (Matthew 27)! And the people didn't choose Jesus. How dreadful for Him, knowing the very people He was here to save couldn't even perceive Him. Those things would make me want to call it quits. If I were Jesus I would probably go right back to Heaven rather than deal with a seemingly hopeless, blind world.
What I am trying to convey through this, is how very important it was for Jesus to stay resilient. Even though Jesus experienced these difficult emotions and experiences along with many more, He knew how to press forward and let things slide. It can be difficult facing those same kinds of circumstances in our own lives and not letting it affect us. As Christians we are called to share in the sufferings of Christ. As leaders that comes twofold, I think.
When we are guiding others to live in the fullness of Christ, we are more of a threat than if we were just leading ourselves. We are also affecting more than just ourselves in whatever manner we lead. It's especially important for leaders to be resilient; easily bouncing back from opposition. We cannot lead from a worn and broken perspective. We cannot carry baggage around with us as we teach of freedom in Jesus. We need to be able to shake off the rejection, the trials, the frustration, and come fully into the presence and reality of the reigning King of Heaven. Cast you cares on the Lord today and allow Him to fill you with the strength and resilience you need to be a leader for His Kingdom.
James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (NIV)
2 Corinthians 1:5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. (NIV)
1 Peter 5:8-10 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (NIV)
“You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” (NIV)
Mark 16:14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. (NIV)
Those sound like harsh words. But I imagine Jesus saying, "How many times do I have to tell you?" These were the people who knew Him best and they still could not grasp the messages He was teaching! That's downright frustrating. But what did Jesus do? He kept on marching on. He kept going. He kept teaching. It should be the same way for us. When we are ministering to others and they just aren't getting it, we should have the resilience and patience to be steadfast in our leadership and not lose hope.
Besides His disciples, people around Jesus were constantly rejecting Him and trying to kill Him off! For example, before Jesus was crucified, Pontius Pilate even gave the people the option of saving Jesus or another man who had committed a crime from the death sentence (Matthew 27)! And the people didn't choose Jesus. How dreadful for Him, knowing the very people He was here to save couldn't even perceive Him. Those things would make me want to call it quits. If I were Jesus I would probably go right back to Heaven rather than deal with a seemingly hopeless, blind world.
What I am trying to convey through this, is how very important it was for Jesus to stay resilient. Even though Jesus experienced these difficult emotions and experiences along with many more, He knew how to press forward and let things slide. It can be difficult facing those same kinds of circumstances in our own lives and not letting it affect us. As Christians we are called to share in the sufferings of Christ. As leaders that comes twofold, I think.
When we are guiding others to live in the fullness of Christ, we are more of a threat than if we were just leading ourselves. We are also affecting more than just ourselves in whatever manner we lead. It's especially important for leaders to be resilient; easily bouncing back from opposition. We cannot lead from a worn and broken perspective. We cannot carry baggage around with us as we teach of freedom in Jesus. We need to be able to shake off the rejection, the trials, the frustration, and come fully into the presence and reality of the reigning King of Heaven. Cast you cares on the Lord today and allow Him to fill you with the strength and resilience you need to be a leader for His Kingdom.
James 1:2-3 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (NIV)
2 Corinthians 1:5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. (NIV)
1 Peter 5:8-10 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (NIV)
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