Flip The Script

We live in an era where the word “unfair” rolls off the tongue as easily as gravity’s triumph over anything we drop. To be fair I come from a time where victory or dynasty were concepts that were earned; not edited in to some made-for-tv special to announce where all the money and media attention will be spent in the coming years (ok, so that’s a polite nod to the Lebron signing with Miami Heat in July of 2010). Anyone, and by anyone I mean anyone with pockets as cavernous as the grand canyon, can forge a “dynasty” with money or influence. Consider the Golden State Warriors signing Kevin Durant OR the 1992 Olympic Dream Team made up of top NBA players at the time, playing against amateurs for Gold in the Olympics. 

The reason you’re fighting back the urge to cry, “UNFAIR!” is that leading from strength (or to be more accurate, shamelessly using one’s strength as a bargaining chip to lure the weak-minded but quite able-bodied competitor - based off our above examples) should mean that your team is not stacked, to begin with. As I consider leading from strength I envision one whose heart, soul, mind, and strength are so sold out to the possibility of what God can do with the unwanted and unlikely that he/she desires to FLIP THE SCRIPT. “Right Doug, just like that, you can change the world,” I can picture eyes rolling and shoulders dropping in response to what may feel like hyper-optimism. Hold your horses. Let me explain. 

Jesus was so sold out to the possibilities of His limitless Father that he chose what should be considered by all accounts a disaster of a team. In Mark 3:13-19 the story is told of the people he chose. A closer look will reveal some awe-inspiring flipping of the script. Here is a brief list of those he chose: 

• Simon – (whom he changed his name to Peter): Fisherman whose name change meant “Rock” but he was anything but – remember: Rebukes Jesus, denies knowing Jesus, cuts off an ear, walks on water and sinks…etc…)
• James (son of Zebedee) – Boanerges – sons of thunder (known for fits of rage) – remember they wanted to call down fire from heaven to consume a village which did not welcome Jesus (see Luke 9:54)
• John (brother of  James): he and his brother argued over whose position in the kingdom was greater…
• Andrew: Simon Peter’s brother and actually brings Peter to Christ (See John 1:35-40).
• Philip: down to earth sort of guy. He brought Bartholomew (also called Nathanael) to Jesus. He also quickly calculated how much it would cost to feed 5,000 (See John 1 & 6). 
• Bartholomew: His initial response to Philip’s invitation to see Jesus was one of doubt but later Jesus described him as one with solid character (see John 1:43-51 & 21:2)
• Matthew: (also called Levi) a tax collector and a former employee of Rome. One of the “sinners” Jesus hung out with. 
• Thomas: well known as the doubter but later his doubt led to Jesus’ teaching on faith. 
• James (son of Alphaeus): very little is known except that he was the son of Mary
• Thaddaeus: very little is known about this disciple as well.
• Simon (the Cananaean – or Zealot): The Zealots were a group of Jewish extremists organized to overthrow Rome – which makes the first meeting of Simon and Matthew an interesting one 😏
• Judas Iscariot: the treasurer for the disciples who stole from the “poor bag” which he held for the group. It is no wonder he objected to Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with expensive ointment (see John 12:3-6).

What the world was Jesus up to? I mean seriously. Can you imagine a business consultant taking a look at his proposed selections? “Well, Son of God, you have a Zealot (Simon) and a tax collector (Matthew) who currently work for opposing regimes. Yet you want them to team up and expand the Kingdom of God which promotes grace? Gotta say, tough sell.” 

This blog is intended to encourage you to connect biblically informed thought to practical living (in any area one may be leading). I guess this is somewhat simple brace yourself for the Truth to Life moment in the form of a few questions:

1. Are you looking for the least likely around you? You know, the one who is overlooked when teams are picked or who marginally gets by at work. 
2. Can these same individuals beg, borrow and steal from “your strength” so to speak? Are you actively getting underneath them to champion the gifts and gold you see in them? 
3. Do these folks become the Dream Team we discussed at the beginning because they have been cultivated and nurtured under your care? In Mark 6:30-44 the story of Jesus feeding 5k is told. Except we gloss over how the group of regulars became the dream team. When the resources run thin and fear creeps in, they tell Jesus - “We’ve got a problem. It's far from Casey’s General Store, their water bottles are bone dry, and their dogs are barking too much to walk that far to get food.” Jesus in Mark 6:37 says some daring words, “You feed them.” SERIOUSLY! He’s got to be kidding, right? 
1. Funny thing, he wasn’t. He saw the least likely, allowed them to draw upon his resources, and then called them to something higher. Will you FLIP THE SCRIPT?

Some closing thoughts: Jesus didn’t start a Dream Team from a group of previously established all-stars. He followed what was an already established pattern of God… He looked at the heart. Peter is one example. Remember? He denied Jesus and deserted Him. Yet Jesus gently restores him (See John 18 and 21) and breathes life back into what must have been a crippled soul. Which of us, from time to time, has not needed someone to come along and be the balm to the wound we just caused? FLIP THE SCRIPT by getting to the heart - for from it flows the motives for everyone’s actions (yours included).