Wednesday, February 26, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: 1 Peter 1

There is a natural tension between tasks and people. 

People tend to get in the way of accomplishing a task. And a task can often bulldoze the people that get in the way. As a “red,” task-oriented type, I tend to prioritize my goals over the people I encounter.

Looking back over my life, I know that I am an excellent person to have working on a project, but I also know my words and actions have often been a source of pain to those around me. As a mother, I have had to put aside my preference for tasks and objectivity to allow myself to better see my children and put their needs before my own.

Jesus was fully aware of the tension between tasks and people. He went from place to place healing and teaching. He was important and had important work to do. There was always a clear destination, but there were often people along the route who wanted his attention.

In Matthew 20, Jesus and his disciples are traveling out of Jericho toward Jerusalem, embarking on a path that would eventually lead to his death. He privately knew that his ultimate task lay before him—the redemption of humanity.

As Jesus set his face toward his death, two blind men called out to him. They knew he could restore their sight. As these men cried out to him, those around Jesus silenced them. The disciples thought they knew Jesus’ plan (Matthew 20:20-28)—some even held grand ideas of being included—but these men were not part of it.

Matthew 20:31 
“Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them.
But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

Jesus could have walked by and ignored them. After all, he had the redemption of humanity to think of, but he stopped and spoke to them. He saw the broken men and took care of their needs, all while keeping his eyes on the task in front of him.

As task-oriented people, it’s easy for us to allow our goals to come before the people in our lives. However, as Jesus so often did, we need to see the people we encounter along the way as important. Their needs matter, and while those needs should not derail our plans, Jesus calls us to help in any way we can along our journey. 

Questions: 
How does your temperament impact how you interact with people and accomplish goals?

How can you find a balance between loving people and also getting work done?

Next Steps: 
Jesus was constantly being followed by crowds of people. Everyone wanted something from him. Read Matthew 8 and 9 to see how Jesus met the needs of those whom he encountered.

Prayer: 
Heavenly Father, thank you for always having time to meet the needs of the people in front of you. Thank you for challenging my views on the things that seem so important at the moment. Thank you for the unique way you have wired me. Help me to remember that people are important, and the way I treat them reveals what I value. Help me set aside my preferences to meet the needs that I can, while keeping my eyes on the plans you have for me. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:
Ephesians 4:29
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

This post was written by Julie Mabus, a Whitehouse attendee, and a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Devotional.