How Jesus teaches us to lead non-anxiously.'
Fear and anxiety are nothing new, but recently the level of it seems higher than usual. For nearly everyone I meet, from every walk of life, faith practicing or not, there is a common prayer request for peace, tranquility, wisdom, discernment and strength in the midst of fear.
I wonder how much we are getting used to living in this state of anxiety?
Those of us who are called to be leaders in such times as these need to be astute and knowledgeable about the way Jesus dealt with these ever present emotions. Jesus is indeed the best example of a non-anxious presence. Consider this story from Matthew 14:22-32:
“22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” 28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.”
The waves and winds look and sound different in our day, but they can leave us in a place of fear and vulnerability similar to what the disciples were experiencing.
While we often live in fear, Jesus’s practice was prayer. Jesus continually had a special intimacy with God the Father.
Perhaps this is a practice we need to reconnect with? Practicing the presence of God daily requires an intentional posture of prayer, a continual seeking of God’s face, God’s mercy and God’s will. For he can alone use every circumstance and situation for his glory…in due time.
Jesus’s connection to his Father made his ministry powerful! His royal priesthood was peace generating, people transformative, and purpose driven. If we seek to leave a mark in the lives of those we serve or those we serve under, let’s trust in his sovereign plan, attempt things that are bold and impactful, and be difference makers through Christ.
May these words that Jesus spoke to his disciples resound in the hearts of many in our generation, for they apply to believers now as much as when He first said them: 'Have courage, it’s me, do not be afraid.’
We pray that you may be inspired to become a practitioner of a non-anxious presence, to lead well in times such as these.
Carlos Dimas is a Ministry Associate for Latin American Embassies.
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