In Matthew 10, Jesus was with his disciples. They were talking ministry. And Jesus was about to up the ante for them...and send them out into their purpose in ministry. They were in a crucial moment. Jesus had been teaching them that the harvest was plentiful, but the workers are few. He was paving the way for a new day for them in their lives.
When he was teaching them, he delegated to them the authority to drive out evil spirits and heal every disease. In other words, this was their big ministry opportunity! They had served Jesus...they had been around him. But now their day had come. It was time to step out. But, it came with further instructions...keep reading.
Jesus challenged them: "...Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it"
If we are going to move into the ministry opportunities God has for us,we need to learn greater measures of dying to self, and losing our lives for the cause of Christ. There are four words in this scripture I believe Jesus was addressing with his disciples. He was asking them to Lose It!
Word #1: Commitment
Commitment is a great quality. It is the fabric that holds great families, marriages, friendships and Churches together. We all need commitment! However, for leaders in God’s Kingdom, Commitment is only the first step.
I'm proposing that we move from Commitment to Surrender.
A personality test I took a few years ago told me that one of my strengths was called "Personal Freedom." In other words, I enjoy setting my own course, doing my own thing, and breaking through limitations. I will break boundaries, even if I set them up, simply because they are there.
However, I've found so much of God's purpose for my life in the moment's where I have surrendered my will for the good of the team. In fact, this is the primary way I feel God's blessing on my life...I support my Pastor & Church at the highest level when I surrender myself to God's purpose, and God's team.
Commitment implies that I will move my will to be in line with yours. Surrender, though, is a whole different level. Surrender is the place of dying to self. It is a place of sacrifice and humility...but also a place where true heroes are born.
When it comes to surrender, as yourself questions like these:
-What idea am I holding on to that I need to let go for the good of the team?
-What personal opinion am I remaining loyal to, at the cost of damaging team unity?
-What aspect of my Pastor's vision do I have yet to fully embrace, and add value to?
-What team victories are going unrealized at the cost of my personal victories?
Remember what Jesus was saying here... This was all said on the day where he gave the disciples they authority to their new ministry. What new doors of ministry opportunity await you and I, if we will simply move to a greater place of surrender?
We'll talk on three other words in the next few posts. Until then, have a great weekend in Church, wherever you are.
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