Thanks for joining us on this journey of building a consistent habit of reading our Bibles every day. The Bible reading plan we are using this year can be found here: One Year Bible or here on the Bible app. As always, if you miss a day, don’t feel compelled to go back and catch up. Just skip it and start back on today’s date. I am reading the NLT this year, but feel free to use whatever version you prefer. Now here are some thoughts from today’s readings:
“Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
– Luke 18:39
Sometimes the people who lead the way for Jesus can hurt you. It’s possible that, intentionally or unintentionally, they can keep you from your breakthrough and distance you from Jesus. I know this is sad to think about, but it’s true. This was evening happening in Jesus’ time. To be fair, the people saying “Be quiet!” were not really Christian leaders, but, at the moment, they were closer to Jesus than the blind beggar (in a physical sense). So, here are two things I think we can learn from this story.
First, the people who seem to be at the front of the pack may not actually represent what Jesus really wants to do in your life. They may have a title, position, power, they may be well esteemed by others, but that doesn’t mean they are God’s voice in your life. Even those who are truly sincere in their passion for Christ and their leadership for Him still make mistakes. We need to recognize that Christian leaders aren’t perfect. They are going to let us down. At times, they may seem to be pushing us away. We need to give them grace when they make mistakes, while at the same time not allowing them to be God’s only way to speak to us.
Second, our response to our cry being quenched should always be to get louder and more passionate in our personal prayer time until we touch Jesus and see what he wants. Don’t let the leadership failures of others stop your passion, your joy, or your fervent work for the Lord. When you are hurt by a Christian leader, take it to the Lord. He is where we should have been pulling our strength from this whole time anyways. Don’t stop trusting other Christian leaders the Lord has put in your life. Forgive, give grace, and then continue your pursuit of Christ even louder!
Have you ever been hurt by a Christian leader? How are you going to overcome that and continue pursuing Christ?