Are we truly committed to our mission or do our days fill with important tasks that end up distracting us? In Mark 1:25-39 we see Jesus remaining hyper-focused when additional ministry opportunities were knocking on His door (literally).
Jesus was in Capernaum teaching, healing and casting out unclean spirits. “News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee” (Mark 1:28) and “The whole town gathered at the door” (Mark 1:33).
While some of the people loved Jesus for who He was and others loved Him for what He could do for them, there was one common thread: everyone wanted more of Jesus. One day, we see Jesus do something surprising.
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’ So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons” (Mark 35-39).
Jesus knew the pressure for His time and yet the first thing He did was prioritize His time with God. The second thing Jesus did was remind the disciples of His mission. Initially, it seems the most loving thing for Jesus was to continue helping the people of Capernaum. Yet Capernaum was only one link in Jesus’ mission. Staying longer due to the pressure of the people and the additional ministry opportunities would have hindered his overall ministry–reaching the surrounding communities. While the Capernaums surely would have felt disappointment and rejection, Jesus knew why He came and why He had to leave.
Business is not any different. If we are not hyper-focused on our mission, then our work will not be moving in a clear direction towards it. We will spend our time being pulled in different directions (like the Capernaums bringing more needs to Jesus). If Jesus stayed in Capernaum He undoubtedly would have done great work in that town; but by leaving Capernaum, His ministry had an even greater effect. The book The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals by Chris McChesney provides a helpful framework for working toward your wildly important goals and not getting overwhelmed by the whirlwind of important tasks. Jesus had a mission from God and He stayed on task. It is our job as leaders to do the same–even if it means disappointing people or not pursuing good opportunities.
As leaders are we following Jesus’ example of staying on mission?
1) Committed to prayer and time with God
2) Reminding our team of the bigger mission
3) Making hard decisions to stay the course
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