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More is Caught Than Taught…So What Are You Leading People In To?

Writer's picture: Brian DoyleBrian Doyle

This week I took some time off. You may have noticed, you may not have, but I’ve not written anything, done videos, or prepared lessons. I took a week off to collect myself, as I’ve been stressed out, having anxiety attacks, and, as a very kind lady pointed out to me, on the verge of burn out. So I took her advice, after conferring with an elder of the church, and I took time off. During that time, I finished one book (An Unhurried Life by Alan Fadling) and began another (Dad Tired and Loving It by Jerrad Lopes), and both, though about different subjects, pointed back to the same thing: the pursuit of Christ and His mindset in our lives. In the first book, Alan Fadling pointed out Christ through the Scriptures and His Unhurried qualities, that by slowing down, waiting on God’s timing, and sitting and being still before Him while seeking His presence will give us God’s priorities, and organize our lives in a way that fits in with God’s plan and purpose, while the second book deals with being a Christ follower, Husband, Father and leader in one’s home. Both have given me a lot to think about.


One common thread between both books is that what we pursue, those we lead will also follow. So if we pursue sports, or entertainment, or whatever, our followers, especially within our own home, will also gravitate toward. For those of us with children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, disciples, neighbors, friends, and people of any kind that we influence will pursue what we are most passionate about…so we need to be careful! Nowadays, sports is king, or entertainment is king, or relationships are king, but do we follow Christ as King? Do our lives, words and actions support Christ as being of supreme importance and our number one pursuit? Do our words, actions and lives, in whatever context we find ourselves, whether at home (in private with our families), or at work, at play, coaching, teaching, grocery shopping or whatever else reflect the character and nature of our Lord, Jesus Christ? This is what people will pick up on, and this is what people will follow or reject. So let us fix our eyes on Christ, who is the author and finisher of our faith, so that those who follow us (and yes, people follow you on more than just social media) will turn toward Christ Jesus in everything.


Philippians 2


So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.


Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.


I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a sone with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.


I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.




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