I have recently had a few conversations on picking a word for 2021. I like the idea of having a theme word, a virtue to focus on, but I have not chosen a word in a long time. I guess this might be a good year to do it, right?
After those conversations and some prayer, a word finally came to mind of which I used to title this post. This word seems a bit harsh, so let me explain.
Last year, my bible study consisted of reading all four gospels along with a commentary. It was a rich time of truth being unearthed, and I saw Christ with fresh new eyes. As I reflect on his earthly ministry, I see a pattern. He was consistently interrupted or what I would project as being inconvenienced. These are my words describing his ministry, not his. I know Christ would not use those terms, he was merely fulfilling his divine calling and purpose by doing the will of his Father.
Christ’s ministry included a paraplegic lowered through a roof that interrupted his teaching while in someone’s home, an adulterous woman thrown before him in the temple, again, while he was teaching. He ministered to a desperate woman while he was exhausted by the well. He was kicked out of a region trying to minister to the Jews living there and was then redirected to a different place. He stopped to address a sickly woman who quietly touched his robe for healing while he was on the way to heal a Jewish leader’s dying daughter. Christ was woken up by his fear-filled disciples during a storm on the sea. And the list goes on.
Christ had no schedule to speak of, no written to-do list, or no known organizational system to plan out his ministry. The only plan was to do the will of his Father.
I confess, I do not like being interrupted. At times, interruptions can feel rude, and if my to-do list gets delayed or my productivity time is hindered, I can get a bit cranky. Oh, and I love my down time and sleep. I am willing to help a friend, church or family member, but I’m beginning to wonder if it’s only within my boundaries.
Am I willing to be inconvenienced, interrupted, delayed, exhausted, redirected, all for the cause of Christ? And as a follower of Christ, if my life is not my own and I am to die to self, being inconvenienced ought to be a part of my everyday life. Oh boy, I am starting to sweat as I write this!
Here is something interesting to note. Look at the words that are opposite to inconvenience: help out, lend a hand, be of assistance, make easier, soothe, please, benefit, comfort, peace, joy, happiness. I am struck by this! Does my “inconvenience” turn into something that is its opposite for another? I’m beginning to think so. I would call this a biblical rule of thumb. So many verses can speak to this.
One last thing that clinched this word for me. I am currently reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. He describes in a chapter the characteristics of a lukewarm person, and one particular description struck me hard:
“Lukewarm People do not live by faith; their lives are structured so they never have to. They don’t have to trust God if something unexpected happens—they have their savings account. They don’t need God to help them—they have their retirement plan in place. They don’t genuinely seek out what life God would have them live—they have life figured and mapped out. They don’t depend on God on a daily basis—their refrigerators are full and, for the most part, they are in good health. The truth is, their lives wouldn’t look much different if they suddenly stopped believing in God.”
Ouch! And, yet so good. What a continuing challenge of my faith. My hope is what might feel like an inconvenience in living for Christ, will turn into a rhythm of doing the will of my Father by stepping out of the norm, being watchful, and taking action for what is needed and who is in need, being more gospel focused and bold. I pray so.
Do you have a word for this year? If you do and would like to share, please comment below…I would love to know!
“And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if every one of them were written down, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written.” John 21:25
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