On Being A Small Group Leader

Perspective

“I am weak, I am poor, I am broken, but I’m yours.”

That’s a line from Jennifer Knapp’s song “Hold Me Now”. The song puts the listener in the place of the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8:1-11). The religious leaders were ready to stone her, an act apparently consistent with the letter of their law. Jesus reacted instead with a higher law -- a law of grace.

I’ve certainly never experienced anything that dramatic, but I can identify with the lyrics. It seems like I bring so little to the cross. My weaknesses are stones that drag me to the bottom of the sea. My anger is an unwanted anchor. My doubts are recurrent waves. Life wears me down sometimes, and punishes me to the point of quitting.

At those moments, all that rescues my soul is the promise that “I’m yours”. That is the green pasture in which I must lie down each day. Rest comes from the settled fact of being God’s. No matter how much I feel like doubting or denying, I belong to Him. My sins, my doubts, my discouragements -- they’re all part of the package. They don’t separate me from Christ.

Indeed, they often drive me to Him, as my soul seeks green pastures. The grass is always greener on my side of the fence. The brook is always more refreshing. The sky is always blue.

On this side of the fence, perspective overcomes the clouds, and they become transparent.

There is great hope in Christ.

posted by Matt @ 11:24 AM