Yesterday’s quote: Jesus didn’t say, “Go and be successful.” He said, “Follow me.”
I wonder how many brain cells I’ve wasted beating myself up for misunderstanding that idea. Like there was something wrong with being successful.
That’s NOT what it tells me. It’s about priorities. “Follow me” comes first.
Don’t tell anybody else, but there have been times when I’ve actually felt a bit guilty talking about what The FREEDOM TOUR does well. I know, it sounds odd for someone who leads an organization to feel guilty talking about its success.
But I really did struggle for a while with holding success and following Jesus together.
I think things changed for me when we added a phrase to the end of one of our mottos. For a long time, we said it was up to us to do what we can, where we are, with what we have.
At some point, a simple phrase tacked on to the end changed the entire meaning for me.
Do what we can, where we are, with what we have – and trust Jesus for the outcome.
Do you see the difference those six words make? For me, at least, they’re a statement of releasing my concern about and responsibility for our success. I can honestly focus on doing what I can do.
I could create a long list of things I probably should do to help us grow, attract more riders, raise more money, be more successful. I’m not going to create that list, and I do my best not to fuss about what I don’t get done. Those “should’s” are mostly someone else’s notion of what I ought to be doing.
I was invited to follow Jesus, to listen to him and do my best. And trust him for the outcome.
You, too?