Stay Relentless

During our recent Network Intermission, I had the opportunity to share some thoughts regarding our 2013 theme, "Relentless." The word relentless speaks to remaining focused, steady, unwavering, and persistent to the mission. We have committed to being relentless in God's purposes and plans for our lives and leadership.

How do you live with a relentless spirit rather than a resigning spirit? How do you resist the temptation of giving up or bailing out from your God-given assignments or responsibilities? Those questions bring me to these great lines Jesus gives in Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV),

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Here is a portion of my comments to our ministers about staying relentless:

First, remember the invitation. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." When you are restless, unsettled, burned out, or burdened, you don't need big words. Jesus gives a very simple invitation here, "Come to me".

Second, respond to the instruction. "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me." The yoke speaks of complete and perfect surrender to the Word and will of God. The yoke is an apparatus that is placed across the shoulders of a pair of oxen so that they can pull together. God has a plan for our lives and wants us to be in step and in harmony with Him. Unbearable burdens result from taking on things outside of God's plan.

Lastly, rest in the implementation. "And you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Hurry and worry are the enemies of being relentless. Rest is a friend of relentless. His yoke is easy because it fits you well. It is speaking of His purpose being lived out in your life. The burden is light because you are in step with Him and you have refused to live with a hurried or worried spirit.

So stay relentless!

Three actions I've learned in staying relentless:

1. Slow down and determine the difference between the urgent and important.
2. Stop what you are currently doing by saying NO to the things that distract you.
3. Start a life that is refocused on walking with Jesus, not just trying to do it all on your own.