Jill and I host a small group in our home. We share in great fellowship, a meal together, and then a little devotional time called S.O.A.P. This is a practice we learned in Wayne Cordeiro’s excellent book, “The Divine Mentor.” Essentially, we read a scripture together (S), offer our observations (O), discuss the practical application of the passage to our lives (A), and then share requests and pray together (P). It’s a simple practice and I commend it to you if you’re looking for a way to move your fellowship time to things spiritual.
This week we read Mark 2:1-12. It was my week to choose the scripture and I had been living with this text for a while. This is the story of the four friends who let their paralyzed friend down through the ceiling so that Jesus could heal him. If you haven’t read this passage in a while, I encourage you to do so as soon as you can. I was blown away by the observations and applications of our group. They talked about the practicalities of the story like, who would pay for that roof damage? They tried to figure out how to get a stretcher with a full-grown man up on the roof. They considered the reaction of the “religious types” who objected to Jesus’ miracle. They considered what the reception at home must have been like for the formerly paralyzed man. It was rich and it felt like a cool drink on a hot day.
I didn’t say so at the time, but I started thinking of us, of pastors and leaders in the church. This time of year we can get caught up on the organizational requirements of the church. Our fiscal year just ended, and we are under the gun to get those year-end reports finished. While that is an important priority, we must not lose sight of the four friends in Mark 2; they give us a strong reminder about what we should be doing all year long.
The Spirit seemed to say to me, “Sam, you need to do some ‘matt carrying.’” I need to remember that being a DS or a pastor is not a pass for personal discipleship. Pastors, who are we bringing to Jesus? Then I sensed the Spirit going a bit further and saying, “Sam, I need you to ‘dig through the thatch,’ too.” I felt God reminding me that being willing to bring people to Jesus and even doing it, may not be all that’s required. Sometimes we have to get up on the roof and dig through the thatch to see that they have the best chance for the touch of the Master. Are we willing to risk a little to see someone come to Christ?
Pastor, thanks for getting those reports in. It really is important. But don’t lose sight of “matt carrying” and “thatch digging.” Jesus is counting on us getting this one right.
Sam
