And I’m not talking about your weight!
Jesus nailed it when he told those going to community, “Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.” in Luke 10 verse 4. The Message bible says it this way, “Travel light. Comb and toothbrush and no extra luggage. Don’t loiter and make small talk with everyone you meet along the way.”
You know, that’s pretty hard for followers of Jesus eager to get on with serving him. “What? No small talk?” “No loitering?” “No iPads?”
The lesson is… we can get distracted. Can I encourage you not to get distracted. Keep Jesus and his mission the main thing. Seek ‘first’ His kingdom. Keep that your priority.
We can get distracted with what we “have” and who we “meet” along the way. Maybe, you have a trade, a business, a set of skills. Maybe you enjoy social interaction (like me). And while none of these are bad they can all become distractions if we are not careful, or mindful of our first priority.
The idea of seeing Christ’s kingdom come near to people is a simple proposition. It’s light. It’s unencumbered. And Jesus intends it to be that way for our benefit.
I love that word – unencumbered.
If there was ever a word we need for today in living out the Kingdom it is “unencumbered”. If you are in ministry, or on mission, ask yourself, “Are you too encumbered?”
It is clear this is where we all to often fall into temptation. We tend to over-complicate intentional and authentic mission with complex “professional” distractions. Many well meaning, and possibly even justifiable. But it’s important that we don’t miss the main thing. In Luke, Jesus kept the model (of seeing His Kingdom come) simple, and light.
Many well-meaning people have said to me over the years, why don’t we run “this” course, or run “that” activity. Great ideas! In fact, at one time, I had the largest sport in Australia come to me and say, “Cam, we want you guys (chaplains) to run relationship training for all our professional players.” and, “we’ll pay you!” Wow! How good was that! What a win! What a windfall! … Yet, I turned them down. Much to everyone’s chagrin.
Why?
Ok, I’m hearing all the pragmatists yelling at me right now! “You need money to survive!”, “People need relationship help!”, “Cam, what a great opportunity to present the good news of the Kingdom!”
Ok! I get it! But there’s just something so profound when we keep the message of the kingdom uncluttered. Light. Unencumbered. Jesus knew this too.
Recently, I was asked by a trainee with financial skills, “It has become clear that people around me need financial assistance. Some even need financial support. What about them?”
When it comes to “pastoral” assistance of those we serve it’s a noble and good act of service to help in our area of competency. This is authentic ministry. For this person, helping someone through financial difficulty is an act of mercy.
However, I encouraged them with a few cautions.
- Be careful your act of service doesn’t distract you from the “main thing” – healing the sick, telling them the Kingdom has come near (aka, helping people respond and experience the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ)
- Consider handing ‘counselling’, in this case ‘financial counselling’, off to a third party so you can journey with them unhindered. Remember, becoming a “destiny” person can have negative impacts. This person was teetering on this edge. Do one or the other (both are great) but the two together can make you conflicted with people. As official or unofficial chaplains (or community shepherds/pastors) we have to fight the temptation to leverage our “trusted role” for missional distraction, personal advantage or encumbrance.
- Further to that, it’s important to keep all our relationships light (unencumbered). Avoid “the costs of complexity”. This applies in “ministry” as much as in “business”. Jesus, told the disciples to go light. Travel light. Keep focused on the main thing. Aka, “Keep the main thing the main thing!” That is, the kingdom message, “Heal the sick and tell people the kingdom of God has come near to them.” That God’s grace and mercy is right there beside them – only a conversation (prayer) away.
Complexity is one of the biggest issues facing mission and church ministry today.
If the recent pandemic has taught us anything it has taught us that we have to simplify the way we live, work and live out our faith. Let us not allow complexity to creep into our lives. Let’s keep the focus and attention of our lives with others on that which really matters. Jesus. His grace and mercy revealed to all those people God has placed around us in community.
Simple. Profound. Life changing.
Travel light.
