Sunday, April 19, 2020

C o u r a g e o u s   L e a d e r s h i p

Mark 6:46-51


In your life as a competitor, have you ever experienced great courage and an unnaturally calm spirit in the midst of tremendous struggle and fear?  Many of us have and so did Jesus.


We read about such an instance in Mark’s gospel at chapter 6 and verses 46 through 51.  There it says, “After leaving them, He went up on a mountainside to pray.  When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake and He was alone on land.  He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them.  About the fourth watch of the night He went out to them, walking on the lake.  He was about to pass by them, but when they saw Him walking on the lake, they thought it was a ghost.  They cried out because they all saw Him and were terrified.  Immediately He spoke to them and said, ‘Take courage!  It is I.  Don’t be afraid.’  Then He climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down.”


There are a lot of things happening here, but let’s focus on just a few: 
Great team leaders are aware of the team’s condition.  Jesus saw that His team was straining at the oars and walked out to check on them.


Great team leaders speak strong words of encouragement to their teammates.  Jesus said three simple sentences to His terrified disciples and thus quelled their fears.  He said, “Take courage!  It is I.  Don’t be afraid.”  That was enough.


Great team leaders calm their teammates simply by being present.  As soon as Jesus climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Some of you calm things down for your teammates by simply entering the contest.  Your very presence in the lineup makes your team more confident.


Be such a team leader in today’s competition and the whole team will be successful.


Bible Reading Plan:
Mark 7:24-37
I Corinthians 12:14-31
Psalms 89:1-18
Judges 16