Our theme for this month: “Confidence”
Our Bible verse for today: “When it was day, He went out and made His way to a deserted place. But the crowds were searching for Him. They came to Him and tried to keep Him from leaving them. But He said to them, ‘I must proclaim the good news about the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I was sent for this purpose.” Luke 4:42-43 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Sometimes we have to have the confidence to say “no”.
As I read the Gospel accounts one of the things I find amazing about Jesus, and which we often miss, is how many times He essentially said “no” to people. In the case of the scene in Luke 4:42-43, the crowds insisted that Jesus stay with them and continue to meet their needs. But He said “no” and walked away. There were other things He needed to do and so even though there were still sick people who had yet to be healed, demoniacs who had yet to be delivered, people to be taught, visited, etc., Jesus left those things undone and moved on.
This isn’t the only time He did that. Despite the expectations and demands placed on Him by others, and even though their needs may have been legitimate, Jesus had the confidence to say “no” to the good, so He could focus on the best. And even though He probably left behind people who were disgruntled and grumbling because He didn’t visit with them, or didn’t do for them the things they thought He should have, Jesus shrugged it off and moved on.
Pastor and author Max Lucado tells about a time in his own ministry when he was so overwhelmed and so drained that he was seriously thinking about giving it all up. So he sat down with a wise friend to try to think through “why” he was so overwhelmed and drained. First they started by considering what Max’s strengths in ministry were and what things brought him the most joy and fulfillment. In Max’s case those things were studying, preaching, teaching, and writing. Those are the things God has called and equipped Max for.
Then they considered Max’s calendar from the previous six months to see how he had been spending the majority of his time. It turned out that his time had been consumed with committee meetings, building issues, church financial matters, and countless hours filled with counseling sessions, home and hospital visits, as well as all sorts of administrative duties.
When the friend asked Max why he was allowing so much of his time to be consumed by things other than the primary work God had called him to and equipped him for Max said, “Well, people expect me to do those things.”
Fortunately for Max he learned an important lesson from the example of Jesus. He quickly realized that he needed to have the confidence to focus on the things God had called him to and equipped him for, and leave the other activities to other people. Yes, some people grumbled about it, but they grumbled at Jesus too. Nobody can do everything; nobody can be all things to all people; and so we need to focus on what God has called us to and equipped us for, and leave the other things to other people. Even if it means that those other things don’t get done at all.
Sometimes we have to have the confidence to just say “no”.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 