Last week we tackled Mark 5:1-20. This was a story where Jesus took the disciples by boat, over to the other side. They were greeted by a “crazy naked man” as they entered one of the Greek cities of Decopolis (Conquered by Alexander the Great). It brought up the question:
WHAT DO WE DO WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING?
This community reveals their heart within their response to Jesus’ healing of this tormented man. This man had been in pain for years throught the demons of addiction, possession, and self mutilation. Now Jesus address him as a person, and brings wholeness back to this man again by casting Legion (many demons) into a herd of pigs. The demons cause the pigs to run off the cliff into the water. Swine Flew!
When the community returns the “crazy naked man” now has clothes on and is in his right mind. It reveals that the community is infected with Swine Flew:
- When status quo is more important than a life change.
- When animal life is viewed greater than human life
- When a good economy is better than having Jesus in the community.
This community asked (begged) Jesus to leave their community. They did not like the result of Jesus changing this man. This community did not even realize they were infected.
What about you?
What about Mount Ararat?
Do we have swine flew?
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3 Reasons I Stay Stuck Posted: 26 Oct 2009 02:00 AM PDTRecently I completed a personal evaluation exercise in my journal. I wanted to uncover the 3 main factors that keep me from moving forward and embracing new paradigms in my life and leadership. In other words: why do I stay stuck?From my journal to your computer screen, here’s my short list. Hope it helps tow your truck out of the mud.1. Complacency
Change is hard. Positive change is just as hard as negative change. Sometimes it’s easier to stay stuck than to move forward. Often it’s more comfortable to stick with something that’s tolerable and familiar than to embrace something that’s preferable and unknown.2. Regret
I really don’t know how to explain this, except to say that my regrets often overpower my ambitions, causing me to remain in a state of paralysis.3. Distraction
It’s hard to tell how many major adjustments I’ve avoided making because I was busy tending to insignificant side items. It’s tempting to divert attention from the big thing that God wants me to change by slam dunking something that ultimately doesn’t matter at all.I don’t want to stay stuck. I don’t want the storyline of my faith to be eclipsed by a shift I was unwilling to make.If you’re feeling stuck, as I so often do, here’s a prayer to pray…if you dare:God, help me move forward at the speed of your direction and intention,
no matter how painful the transition may be. |
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