So part of the goal of Leap of Faith season is to try to encounter Jesus more often, so I can get to know him better. I want to be on much more personal terms with him, frankly. I'd like to be one of the sheep that follows him because I hear him, and know the sound of his voice, and recognize him as my good shepherd who lays down his life for me. This only rarely describes why I follow Jesus, but it sure sounds good.
So far during this Lent season, I've encountered Jesus as a connector - someone who meets my needs and desires through my relationships with other people, and through making me feel known and loved by him as they hear/see what he's doing and bring it to my attention. For example, my friend Liz emailed me earlier this week and proposed a joint project for this season as we both think about leadership and relationships together. She offered the project because she felt like God had put it on her heart to ask me to join her in considering this, and couldn't sit with herself until she obeyed this nudge. Or just today, when S&L got an invitation from a previous Thresholder to attend a talk he was hosting on Relational Management at Park Street Church and invited me to attend. Thanks to their thoughtful invitation I got to meet an author and hear a presentation on the exact type of management/supervision/leadership that I not only prefer, but am becoming more and more convinced is the only responsible, interesting, and Jesus-centered way to do manage individuals, resources, and organizations.
I've also encountered Jesus through my kids this season. Quel surprise. Yesterday at the doctor's office, when Arlie was refusing to get on the scale, Nathan calmly stood next to her, removed his shoes and coat, and stepped up, saying "It's not scary, Arlie, it's just like this!" and up she toddled after him. I love that image of him peacefully taking his shoes off and stepping up first, going ahead of her, bravely, with encouragement. I also very much appreciated that it worked with him, and I didn't have to jump up there myself. Not ready for that kind of reality check, thank you.
