Leaders Are Learners - September '04

theme: REMIND & REMEMBER

I don't know if you've ever experienced a 'failure moment' - you know the kind of moment where you recognize you blew it, missed it, or messed it up. if you're like most people who experience such a moment (perhaps it's more often than you'd like) - we can find ourselves (in the words of the great U2 song ) - 'stuck in the moment' .and you can't get out of it.

in those moments - feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt begin to swirl inside. if left to ourselves - we can often become emotionally withdrawn and spiritually stalled.

as a youth worker - I know I've felt at times where I've let a student down, forgot something important, messed up by sharing words of sarcasm versus healing, etc. In those moments - it seems the desires of being a great youth worker evaporate and self-doubt moves in with "I can't believe I did that.how can God use me after that?...Man, I really let them down."

The disciples encountered feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy. It happened after a 'great' moment in ministry and then out of no where these feelings set in. It almost seems to be a pattern in their journey with Jesus - times of feeling on top and riding high, followed by times of feeling incapable and like they failed.

In one particular encounter - there lies a spiritual REMINDER for us today!

Mark 8:11-21

Jesus has just encountered the Pharisee's hounding/interigating him for a 'sign'. (read Matthew 16:1-12 )

He's maybe a bit frustrated and so he's trying to teach the disciples to watch out so they're not swayed and 'infected' by their false teachings.

but notice - the disciples are stuck in a moment.

Can you just imagine the conversation - Jesus says: "beware of the yeast of the Pharisee's and Herod" - and then listen in on the thought pattern going on among the disciples: "Yeast! - you know that's code for bread, of which we forgot to bring enough for this long boat ride. I can't believe we forgot bread! Come on, it's not that tough.just grab some bread for the trip. it's not like there's a Circle K waiting for us when we get there. He does the miracles - we get the bread! it's our only job and we can't even do that right! Gee, I wonder what we'll screw up next.Man, we're never going to get this whole rabbi thing down if we can't even remember the bread!"

Then Jesus chimes into the conversation with a classic question: "why are you talking about bread?" (insert long awkward pause here) .he then leads them on a discovery over the things they just witnessed with their own eyes - the feeding of the 5000 & the 4000. He REMINDS them WHO did that and helps them REMEMBER WHAT happened. and then He asks a penatrating question. "don't you understand even yet?"

it's not this question uttered in frustration - but out of gentleness and assurance. Guys - don't you understand even yet.I'M IN YOUR BOAT! ALL I NEED IS THE 1 LOAF FOR THE 12 OF US!

He REMINDS THEM and helps them REMEMBER!

In our moments of failure, self-doubt or inadequacy.we need to be reminded of WHO is in our boat and remember what He has already done!

Our job as leaders is: to lovingly remind students WHO is in their boat. And help them remember WHAT He has already done in their lives. as they navigate life - may we be the godly adults who help remind them that Jesus is actively and attentively in their life - he is more than capable of meeting their needs! May we help them remember what He has done in their life - help them see it again afresh and anew.

God is BIG on wanting his people to be reminded and to remember . The Festivals that the nation of Isreal has celebrated for thousands of years serve as a reminder and a remembrance to all that God has done.

Scripture is full of this call to be reminded and to remembe r. So may He remind you in a special way this month that He is in your boat! May you have some moments to remember some unique things he has done for you!

Take 5: Making it Personal

à go ahead and reflect for a couple minutes: list on a paper the things that God has done in your life - could be from far back or recent. ask Him to remind you of His presence, care, concern, blessing and guidance in your life. Take 5 minutes to hit the pause button in life and remember !

à who are the students, God might use you to help them be reminded of His presence in their life this month? How might you help them remember what God has been doing in their life - have you spotted some "God things" or growth in their life that you can mention to help them remember ?!

Shout Out

Email Jack one theory/tip/thought that stuck out to you...

jack@casaschurch.org

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