Swept Up in Complexity
“Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them. But he replied, ‘I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent.’ So he continued to travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea.” –Luke 4:42–44
We are often deeply distracted from bringing the Kingdom of God near and sharing the good news of Christ with those around us. As our world continues to be mired with complexity, we must not be swept up into the currents of it. Mark Sayers wrote in A Non-Anxious Presence, “We have moved from a complicated world to a complex world.” Do you feel the currents of complexity pulling you away from sharing the good news of Christ with those around you? What areas of your life have become more complicated and complex?
Take a few minutes to read Luke 4:42–44. Meditate on how Jesus dealt with the crowds and demands of ministry. Notice how Jesus withdrew to a quiet and isolated place, handled the noise and crowds, and then returned to his focus of preaching and demonstrating the good news of the Kingdom of God to those who have not heard. His pattern in this passage that we could follow can be summed up in three simple steps…
Withdraw from the crowds
Remove distractions with a time of personal repentance and worship
Engage with sharing and demonstrating the good news of Christ to those who have not heard
The greenhouse at my home has often been a place where I withdraw from the crowds. I love to run my hands through the dirt and talk to the Lord. One day when I was in the greenhouse, the Lord said to go to one of the lower income neighborhoods in our region and share the good news of the Kingdom with the people there. I responded to the Spirit’s lead by going to this neighborhood. We have seen the Lord set many people free in this missional space and do tremendous work here.
Take some time to ask the Lord where you need to withdraw to be alone with him. When you withdraw, ask the Lord to remove any distractions with a time of personal repentance and worship. Feel free to listen to the worship song Worn by Tenth Ave. North. Then simply ask the Lord where he is leading you to engage with sharing and demonstrating the good news of the Kingdom. May the Lord bless you with developing regular rhythms of withdrawing, removing, and engaging.
Song: “Worn” by Tenth Ave. North
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lee Price and his wife Jana have served as missionaries for over 20 years in Colorado pursuing the work of gospel movement. They have a deep love for seeing new disciples raised up out of the harvest and new churches planted. They have also spent a number of years starting non-profits and working alongside local community leadership to bring about grassroots community transformation. More recently Lee and Jana have relocated to the Texas Panhandle to support Novo's efforts of seeing gospel movements launched across the world. Lee has a bachelor degree in Communication from West Texas A&M University and a masters degree in Christian Ministry.
