Sometimes I wonder which of the following two primary pursuits would more significantly impact the world- if we all had big plans and worked daily toward the realization of those big plans; or, if we all made a commitment to find a way, each day, to live a life of radical, moment by moment obedience to God. If I read and understand the Scriptures well, I think the answer is clear- daily obedience. If I read and understand and agree with culture and contemporary Christian leadership literature, I think the answer is clear- working a compelling vision. A case could be made from Scripture for working a vision, but not a comprehensive case. Of course, the unique role and example of Jesus would be one. But, a better case in the New Testament would certainly be of the other option- a life pursuing daily obedience to God.
Now I am not saying that these are mutually exclusive. If one were living a life of daily obedience, they would be most certainly working a grand plan. We are all part of his divine plan. But, it might not be a known plan that is being worked or even fully understood. In fact, I believe it likely will not be understood completely until we reach the final day. And, if a person is working a big plan or a comprehensive vision, they might just be able to see radical, daily opportunities for unique acts of obedience fitting well into that.
The reason for comparing the two points of view is to see the disparity between Christian leadership literature in the market place and the Bible that is often selectively taught in that literature. At present, the “live with vision” and “lead with vision” material seems to outweigh the “live with determined awareness of the world around and the heart of God” and “lead with determined awareness of the world around and the heart of God” in the bulk of literature that is oriented particularly toward leadership.
I have a bias, but I believe it is based upon the teaching and example of Jesus and affirmed by the rest of the New Testament. I know that Jesus came to fulfill a big plan. That is beyond dispute. And, though our desire is to complement his big kingdom plan, we cannot accomplish the big parts that only he could do- die for the sins of the world and return to life from death on command. He masterfully lived out a master plan. But, it must be noted that in so doing he lived compellingly connected to people around him- responding to their pain, their cries for help, their mocking injustices, their smug hostilities, their complacency and their hope-filled appeals as though THAT was his plan. And, it seems that he directed his followers to pay special attention to do the same. In fact, one would be hard pressed to find Jesus commanding his disciples to identify all of the elements of a master plan and understanding how to work it out. I certainly cannot find any. His two primary sets of commands- to love God and others and make disciples- are really daily and present tense activities that may or may not fit into a grander vision. The disciples certainly didn’t have clarity on how it all fit together until well after Pentecost. It is left for the authors of books to extract teachings of Jesus that might be oriented toward convincing others of the grand vision and their specific part in it. Those thoughts must be masterfully mined from the texts.
However, the parables of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10), the Rich Fool (Luke 12) and the Righteous Sheep (Matthew 25), the overarching theme of the sermon on the mount which is heavily weighted toward how we live in holy lives in unholy communities and the teaching of abandoning plans to follow him, all complement his example of caring for people along the way. He noticed someone touching his garment, the children, the lepers crying out from a distance. He responded to more than one blind man, demoniac and crippled person. He followed Jairus to his home, went to Peter’s home to help his mother-in-law and helped the demon possessed when those tormented by them were interrupting his otherwise intentional, missional day. I am convinced that if he were only focused upon the death and resurrection, that we would not see such tactile and taxing engagement along the way. It would be superfluous to the plan. It was not. It was modeling behavior for us to see and to reveal his heart at its best.
William Barclay referred to Matthew 6:33 as “the Magna Charta” of the New Testament. It reads, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” It is certainly more than good advice. It is a way to order priorities and focus. It was a marching order that could not and still cannot be improved upon. Each of the two orientations addressed above can view this verse through their own filter. For those who are inclined to see the Kingdom as the large and comprehensive plan and ultimate experience of God in control in this world, that verse can look like a verse focused upon the long range future- his future kingdom and fully experience, future righteousness. But, put in the context of living free from daily worries (verses 25-32) and maintaining a present-day focus with present-day energy (verse 34), the kingdom and righteousness of God are best understood and applied by those who seek to be contented with today’s supply and today’s opportunity. It could well be argued that this verse is a charge for us to focus upon the daily experience and expression of God and pursuing obedience to him rather than consumed by the daily experience and expression of worry and self-fulfillment.
I will get to the point. I believe we are experiencing ecclesiastical shift in churches with many Christians and with leaders where we become so enamored with big goals and ideas that we walk past daily opportunity and need. I think that “white papers” often distracts from “white-hot need”- hurting people who need Jesus. I observe that some people with the biggest ideas produce the least fruit. That should tell us all we need to know.
I am not opposed to planning. I am a bishop in the Free Methodist Church. I plan all of the time. But, I find myself asking God more and more to give me opportunity to see people and situations each day that really, truly, deeply need wisdom, love or guidance or help in Jesus’ name. Sometimes, I look for the long and hard road that might allow me the privilege of deepening my faith or the faith of others. I could give personal example after example in which I discovered something great or beneficial on the road to great endeavors. Pursuing obedience most often takes me off the road a little. But, I reach the destination more whole.
I would that more and more people were committed to live in daily pursuit of obedience. God will most certainly take care of the rest. You are part of a big plan- it is God’s. Do not spend your whole life trying to discover it. Spend most of your life living out a life pursuing obedience and sacrifice.