Skip to content

soulstuck?

create something better.

COUNTER-INTUITIVE KING

By: soulstuck
On: 02/26/2016
In: INDIVIDUAL, LIFE
Tagged: awakening, changing your thinking, Charles Dickens, Christianity, counter-intuitive, Ebeneezer Scrooge, faith, family leadership, God, Jesus, lead yourself, personal leadership, soulstuck, spirituality
With: 0 Comments

COUNTER-INTUITIVE KING

“To follow Jesus implies that we enter into a way of life that is given character and shape and direction by the one who calls us.”

-Eugene Peterson

Charles Dickens told the story of a man shackled to his greed and pain, oblivious to the real needs around him.  Ebeneezer Scrooge is not a good man when the story begins.  He has tunnel vision for only one thing: himself.  But by the end of the story, after having the pee scared out of him and a genuine respect and fear presented to him by three ghosts (Christmas Past, Present, and Future), he changes.

He sees his own story and the stories of the people around him in a new light, from a different point of view.  Dickens tells a beautiful story.  It is about redemption, new vision, and living from a heart of love.

There are days where I think I am much more like Ebeneezer Scrooge than I care to admit.  In my one track mind, I see only me.  I see only my convenience, my time, my priorities, and my hopes and desires.  I need an awakening.

The culture around you tells a different story.

  •  Possess more.
  • Don’t be serious about faith-following.
  • Believe in yourself
  • Give God a nod every once in a while.
  • Follow your heart, not some ancient book. 

Untruth often disguises itself in the form of pleasant words.  Half-truths are mistaken for whole truths.

Jesus path was very clear.  The Jesus Way is marked with at least four clear flags that define those of us who follow Him.

  1. Humble Yourself.  I’ve said this before, but you are not the hero in your own story.  You can’t rescue yourself, you can’t save yourself, and you can’t define yourself.  Once you realize this truth, the only option that benefits you in the end is to humble yourself.  Rail against it all you want, but if your knee doesn’t bow willingly to God here on earth, it will be forced to bow at some point or at least in Heaven.
  2. Submit to the Father.  This may be the most difficult thing that we humans fight against.  We say we believe in God, but we are happy to keep Him at a distance.  We don’t want anyone up in our business because we think that nobody is that close.  We are mistaken.  God is close.  He sees…everything.  But this shouldn’t cause us to react in fear.  It should propel us to faith in Him because He does see us, He does know us, and in spite of that fact, He still pursues, disciplines, loves, restores, and heals us if we would just let Him.   This is a good Father.  He can be trusted.
  3. Apprentice Yourself to Jesus.  Jesus is the target.  He is the model.  He is the path.  We cannot be him.  But He can influence, lead, guide, and apprentice us into this way called the Kingdom of God.  Discipleship is apprenticeship.  We don’t simply follow, we learn.  We pick up the tools of the trade and learn from the Master of Life.  This happens through interaction with him through his imperfect people. We need the broken, messy, jacked up relationships we have with the called out ones of Jesus.  Enter into an apprenticeship with Him.
  4. Live Generously.  Finally, generosity marks us.  Through the abundance of love, grace, and mercy we have received, we live generously among the people of the world.  The good news is that God has not only come in the flesh to save and serve us, but that we, in turn can carry Him with us in our flesh through living a generous life.   We give more than just our money.  Generosity is nobility.  We live noble lives among our co-workers and family members.  We give our very selves to the greater good of humanity.  Not only when they believe like we do, but especially when they don’t.  It’s easy to serve people who are like you, but Jesus example is generosity to those who don’t deserve it, who haven’t earned it, and who probably aren’t even going to thank you for it.

This is the Jesus Way.  It is counter-intuitive.  Backwards.  His is an unpopular path.  He inserts comments into his stories like, “if you want to become great, you have to become less…”  or “unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you can’t be a part of me…”, and “deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow me…”  There is more to say about these things… but for now… join the conversation.

Can you follow something that doesn’t make sense?  Or are you too rational, logical, and intelligent to accept such a proposal?  How is that working for you?

Subscribe & Get "APPRENTICE"
100% Privacy. We don't spam.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Related

2016-02-26
Previous Post: DEALING WITH THE UNDESIREABLE
Next Post: BORN BLIND SO YOU MAY SEE

Subscribe Here!

About Art Kelly

About Art

I’m Art Kelly. If you are anything like me, there have been times in your life when you were stuck. I want to give you some help in getting you unstuck.Read More → Read More about “About Art”…

Twitter

@artkelly1

THE SOULSTUCK SERIES

THE SOULSTUCK SERIES

The Soulstuck Series is about hearing from other voices in the soulstuck conversation. These are stories and insights from some of our friends along the journey.Read More →

Archives

  • Solutions We Must Create 10/07/2017
  • THE PROBLEM WITH PERPETUAL DOUBT 08/04/2017
  • What is the church for? 05/29/2017
  • HOW TO RESPOND TO OUR AMERICAN CULTURAL ROLLER COASTER 01/22/2017
  • WHAT OUR FAITH IN POLITICS SAYS ABOUT OUR FAITH IN GOD 01/20/2017
  • HOW TO LET GO OF CONTROL 01/14/2017
  • FOLLOW: DENY YOURSELF, CARRY YOUR CROSS 01/12/2017
  • What good can I do today? 01/03/2017
  • Just Keep Bird-Watching 12/30/2016
  • Live a Questionable Life.  12/23/2016
  • The reason for stagnancy in religious institutions.  11/27/2016
  • I’M FOLLOWING JESUS 11/20/2016
  • Already tired of the word “Missional”?? 11/15/2016
  • Of immigration, Christian power-grabbing, and our future. 11/11/2016
  • THE DRAGON OF INSECURITY 09/11/2016
  • HOW FAITH WORKS (PART TWO): PREPARING FOR THE BEST 08/26/2016
  • HOW FAITH WORKS: BELIEF, FAITH, AND EFFORT (PART ONE) 08/20/2016
  • Moving past just obeying 07/19/2016
  • MY WIFE, THE BIBLE, AND HERSHEY BARS 07/17/2016
  • I AM HUMAN 07/09/2016
  • Live Sent (Part 3): Saturating our City 06/22/2016
  • Live Sent (Part 2): CHRISTIANITY AS MOVEMENT 06/18/2016
  • Live Sent (Part One): Paradigm Shift 06/02/2016
  • Amen.  By Adrian Plass 05/15/2016
  • The Lies We Believe 05/02/2016
  • WHEN I’M RIGHT…FILTHY RAGS 04/11/2016
  • PASSION WEEK: RISEN TO AWAKEN US 04/01/2016
  • PASSION WEEK: SUNSET 03/26/2016
  • PASSION WEEK: WHEN I BETRAYED JESUS 03/25/2016
  • PASSION WEEK: TWO GARDENS 03/23/2016
  • PASSION WEEK: THE UPPER ROOM 03/21/2016
  • PASSION WEEK: WHY THE JESUS STORY MATTERS 03/20/2016
  • PASSION WEEK: INTRODUCTION 03/19/2016
  • CREATE THE UN-CREATED 03/19/2016
  • THIS LIFE IS NOT A TEST…IT’S REAL 03/18/2016
  • KEEP SWINGING 03/15/2016
  • SOULSTUCK NATION: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? 03/11/2016
  • FOLLOW: FAITH WALKS INTO LIGHT PLACES 03/08/2016
  • FOLLOW: FAITH WALKS INTO DARK PLACES 03/07/2016
  • PASTOR: TEACH YOUR PEOPLE HOW TO LIVE SENT 02/29/2016
  • FOLLOW: YOU’RE NOT DEAD YET 02/29/2016
  • BORN BLIND SO YOU MAY SEE 02/26/2016
  • COUNTER-INTUITIVE KING 02/26/2016
  • DEALING WITH THE UNDESIREABLE 02/26/2016
  • THE CULTIVATION OF A QUIET SOUL 02/26/2016
  • THE KINGDOM IN VIEW 02/26/2016
  • PAUSE. RESET. CREATE. 02/26/2016
  • WHEN AMERICA MISPLACED HER TRUST 02/25/2016
  • WHY I LOVE MY WIFE – REFLECTIONS ON A SPOUSE “FAST” 02/23/2016
  • FOLLOW: TIME FOR A SOUL CLEANSE 02/22/2016
  • FOLLOW: DISCIPLESHIP IS MORE THAN A BIBLE STUDY 02/19/2016
  • THE SOULSTUCK LEADER: BY MARK SCHMAHL 02/18/2016
  • FOLLOW: LEARNING HOW TO LISTEN 02/16/2016
  • FOLLOW: KNOWING WHICH STORY TO BELONG TO 02/12/2016
  • FOLLOW: LEARN FROM ME (5 HABITS) 02/11/2016
  • FOLLOW: BASIC TRAINING FOR THE CURIOUS 02/10/2016
  • SOULSTUCK QUARTERBACK PART 2: WHAT THE SUPER BOWL TAUGHT ME ABOUT AMERICAN CULTURE 02/09/2016
  • SOULSTUCK QUARTERBACK: WHAT THE SUPER BOWL TAUGHT ME ABOUT CONFIDENCE VS. ARROGANCE 02/08/2016
  • Soulstuck Recommends 02/06/2016
  • BUILD US BACK 02/04/2016
  • HOW TO LEAD YOUR FAMILY WELL 02/03/2016
  • OVER-SENSITIVE UNDER-SENSITIVE… GRACE ANYONE? 01/31/2016
  • WHY YOU SHOULDN’T BE SO SMART. 01/26/2016
  • AUTHENTICALLY ALL-IN: TRADING IN A CRITICAL SPIRIT FOR THE REAL 01/24/2016
  • LEARNING HOW TO PRAY: BUT DELIVER US FROM THE EVIL ONE 01/21/2016
  • LEARNING HOW TO PRAY: AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION 01/20/2016
  • LEARNING HOW TO PRAY: AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS 01/19/2016
  • LEARNING HOW TO PRAY: AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS 01/18/2016
  • LEARNING HOW TO PRAY: GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD 01/17/2016
  • LEARNING HOW TO PRAY: ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN 01/16/2016
  • LEARNING HOW TO PRAY: YOUR WILL BE DONE 01/15/2016
  • LEARNING HOW TO PRAY: YOUR KINGDOM COME 01/14/2016
  • LEARNING HOW TO PRAY: HALLOWED BE THY NAME 01/13/2016
  • LEARNING HOW TO PRAY: OUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN 01/12/2016
  • LEARNING HOW TO PRAY (INTRODUCTION) 01/11/2016
  • THE DIFFICULTY OF SEEING BEYOND 01/08/2016
  • BELIEF IN MANY PATHS…ARROGANCE OR WISDOM? 01/05/2016
  • APPRENTICE: 7 STUDIES ON HOW TO FOLLOW JESUS. 01/04/2016
  • THE SIMPLE ACT OF LIVING WELL 01/01/2016
  • PROCESS – I DARE YOU TO MOVE 12/31/2015
  • A STORY TO TELL 12/30/2015
  • YOUR BATTLE ISN’T JUST WITH YOUR BROTHER 12/29/2015
  • WHY “JUST DOING MY DUTY” IS NOT ENOUGH 12/27/2015
  • THE SOULSTUCK CONTROL FREAK: BY MEGHAN SMITH 12/23/2015
  • STAR WARS: THE POWER OF A GREAT STORY 12/19/2015
  • KIDS? WHY SO MANY? 12/18/2015
  • PEACE YOU NEED THIS SEASON 12/16/2015
  • WHAT INFORMS YOU? 12/14/2015
  • YOU ARE WELCOME HERE 12/12/2015
  • OUR (NOT SO) PERFECT LITTLE LIFE 12/11/2015
  • WHY YOU NEED COMMUNITY 12/10/2015
  • 10 LESSONS I LEARNED FROM FINANCIAL FAILURE 12/08/2015
  • REMARKABLE 12/07/2015
  • HOW TO LET THE BIBLE READ YOU…AN ANCIENT PRACTICE. 12/06/2015
  • TURNING OFF THE NOISE IN YOUR HEAD 12/05/2015
  • DADDY DAUGHTER DISMAY: WINNING YOUR DAUGHTER’S HEART 12/04/2015
  • HOW TO RESPOND TO TRAGIC HEADLINES 12/03/2015
  • WEARING CROSSES OR BEARING THEM? 12/02/2015
  • 24 ADVENT ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH YOUR KIDS THIS YEAR…STARTING TODAY! 12/01/2015
  • Passive Seasonal Difficulty Disease…Yep, that’s a mouthful. 11/30/2015

Designed using Dispatch WordPress Theme. Powered by WordPress.

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.