What Do You Really Want?

(The following story is a fictitious representation of an actual event that occurred slightly more than 2000 year ago. The actual event was witnessed and documented by two men in the Biblical accounts of Mark (10:17-31) and Luke (18:18-30). While significant artistic license has been taken as to the physical events, the reader will note that the spiritual and emotional lessons remain intact.)

There’s a story about a proud young man who came to Jesus asking for spiritual knowledge and power. He walked up to the Son of God and said, “O Good Teacher, I come to you for knowledge of spiritual things.” Jesus recognizing a self-absorbed and prideful individual when he saw one, led the young man through the streets, to the sea, and chest deep into water. Then he asked, “What do you want?” “Spiritual knowledge and power, O wise Lord,” said the young man with a smile. Jesus put his strong hands on the man’s shoulders and pushed him under. Thirty seconds later Jesus let him up. “What do you want?” he asked again. “Spiritual life,” the young man sputtered, “O great and wise Lord.” Jesus immersed him once again. Thirty seconds passed, thirty-five. Forty.  Jesus let him up. The man was gasping. “What do you want, young man?” Between heavy, heaving breaths the fellow wheezed, “Spiritual knowledge, O wise and wonderful...” Jesus jammed him under again. Forty seconds passed. Fifty. Finally the question came, “What do you want?” “Air!” he screeched. “I need air!” Then Jesus said, “When you want a relationship with God as you have just wanted air, then you will have what you seek.”

Recently a friend asked me what I thought were the most important leadership traits for the next (and by implication current) generation of Christian and Missionary Alliance leaders. Looking back I realize that my friend expected my list to include leadership skills, people skills, communication skills, integrity, honesty, Biblical knowledge. I could see his surprise when I quickly responded, “There is one leadership trait that will shape the C&MA more than any other in the years ahead.” I paused….and he prompted me to continue. “I am increasingly convinced that our longing (or lack of) for the living, active and relevant presence of the Holy Spirit will do more to shape our future impact than any other single thing.”

It is easy, in ministry, to become more enamored with the spotlight than the Presence. It is common for us to grow more attached to our comfort than the Presence. We often love our traditions more than the Presence. In the end, we always get what we have chosen to love the most. So……leaders of the Christian and Missionary Alliance……what do you love the most? Your choice today matters.

Dan Scarrow

District Superintendent
North Central District of The C&MA