In ch. 11 of "a.k.a. Lost", Henderson says, "Restraint is the highest form of discipline among the most highly skilled artists."
I would have to agree. As a guitarist it is so hard to not want to "play everything." A good guitarist learns the art of restraint. It's even moreso for a bass player. A good basketball player learns not to "force" the game, they let it come to them. A pool shark forces themselves to patiently "set up the game." A card player, the same.
Henderson says we need to think: WJDD - What Jesus DIDN'T do. He didn't...
- ask the religious ruler, "Why should I help you?"
- seek assurance that the ruler would become his follower.
- explain his rationale to his disciples, who were probably becoming more and more confused.
- worry about how his actions would be perceived by others.
- tell the [bleeding] woman she had to make an appointment so he could work her into his busy schedule.
Henderson sums up... much can be done with very little. Yeah, but SOMETHING must be done, right? I think that is often my problem... I know I need to do something, I want to do something, I think of all these "somethings" that I should be doing... and then I get overwhelmed and end up doing nothing. "Much can be done with very little." Perhaps I should just do what I can, when I can, and "restrain" from thinking I need to do it all.
Peace, friends. Revolution.
2 comments:
I like the "WJDD". Sometimes asking that question would probably save a lot of headaches. Sometimes I think we think we need to do more than Jesus - you know be more Jesus than Jesus was. Crazy.
Jah,
Yeah, I think we can do this as individuals and as churches. Often that can be what hurts the effectiveness of a church - trying to be all things to all people. I remember Bill Hybels saying that's one question they constantly wrestle with... "What has God called US to do?" That's why Willowcreek has never started a school - even though lots of people think they should - that's not what "they're" about. I admire that.
Post a Comment