Jason Bedell Online

As a leader, you get it all.
The Good.
The Bad.
The Ugly.

You preach a great message, the people love you.
You talk about their dogs, they accost you.
You make the easy decisions, they applaud your resolve.
You make the tough decisions, some people up and leave.

The fact is that ministry (paid or volunteer) and being a Christ-follower is not for the faint of heart. It's a difficult life following the Master. That's why Jesus warned... wide is the road leading to destruction and narrow is the road leading to heaven. Many will find the wide road (Matthew 7:13). On your journey, you won't please them all.

You will mess up constantly.
You will let people down.
You will make decisions people don't like.
You will hurt people that are close to you.
You will say "I'm sorry" often.
And... you will want to quit frequently.

So, why do people follow the man named Jesus?
Why do I follow the man named Jesus? Well...

He loved me when no one would.
He forgives the things I've found hard to forgive myself of.
He has given me the humble privilege of leading.
He knows my heart- and that it is close to Him.
He lets me see a 50 yr old take another shot at life as they walk through the doors of a place they never thought they would end up. And they say to me, "I feel like I've taken my first breath at 50. Thank you for doing this."
He allows me the honor to baptize people into His name and watch them bring their co-workers to church. Four weeks later they baptize three co-workers.
He opens my eyes to see that my life doesn't consist of laptops, cars, a house, and things. But, instead- community and relationships.
He knows when I walk into work after working with some hurting families all week that this note and a gift for my wife and I will be on my desk thanking us for being here and answering God's call to serve at Forefront.

It's easy to lose focus in the madness people.
Don't let them steal your joy.

Jason *over and out*