Tag: Jews

Uncomfortable

Neal Donald Walsch wrote, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. So if you’re feeling uncomfortable right now, know that the change taking place in your life is a beginning, not an ending.”

The success of leadership depends on the ability, or the flexibility, to recognize the limits of our comfort zone.

Imagine the change in following God within the Jewish nation after 1,500+ years of the same approach, and then something occurred far different that made them uncomfortable.

Leadership operates the same. We are not talking unscriptural, but when ideas and plans are introduced that make us uncomfortable, maybe life is just beginning.

Matthew

Matthew was a tax collector and hated by the Jews. Tax collectors were not seen as an example to follow.

However, Matthew was an apostle called by Jesus, but what made him different? Consider two reasons.

Committed: The text is explicit: When called by Jesus, Matthew immediately left everything behind to follow. He walked away from security and wealth.

Compassionate: Matthew hosted a great feast for Jesus. He invited what the Pharisees called “tax collectors and sinners.” Matthew wanted all his friends to hear about Jesus.

Not a great deal is known about Matthew, but these two areas make him stand out as an example.