January 9, 2012  

Grace & Peace! 

     In the Gospel of Mark chapter 9, we observe Mark's account of the transfiguration of Jesus, after which, Jesus is vexed by the lack of faith seen around Him, not only in His disciples, but amongst the people He has been ministering to.  In this same moment Jesus is presented with a young boy possessed by a spirit that causes him to have seizures and has been threatening his life for years.  The Boy's father, frustrated with his son's condition and left disheartened at the disciples' inability to cast the spirit out, causes him to petition Jesus in this way; (verse 22) "But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."  

      Jesus is, of course, taken aback by the father's plea and questions his doubt ("if you can"), to which the man promptly proclaims, "I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief." (NIV)  Can you imagine how frustrating it must have been for Christ to be surrounded by people whom He had ministered to who still did not grasp what He taught, who were still weighed down with unbelief, including His own disciples?

     As servants, it is imperative that we work to get more than an assignment, but get an understanding of the vision that said assignments are working to fulfill.  Nothing vexes a leader more than to be laboring alongside servants who don't accept the vision!  You can carry all the bags you want, make all the tea you want, hold as many bibles as you want, but if you can not catch the vision, you're just dead weight! Supporting the Lord's vision, given to your leader is worth more than you can imagine.

     The work of a servant goes far beyond the physical, into the spiritual.  Having the Holy Spirit, and being able to flow in it, is essential to the work of a servant.  If you want to truly help your leader, walk with him/her; not in front, not in the way, but see where they are trying to take the flock, discern in the spirit how you can speak that same message in all you do, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your every action, not the manuals you've read, the seminars you have taken, or the training you have received.  What does it profit the Kingdom, or your leader, if  you can go through the motions, but can't progress forward?