A message from Jesus that’s not TikTok-worthy...

Jesus once shared this crazy message with His best buds that always messes me up. It messes with my mind because it’s so counter-culture. It’s so not Instagram or TikTok-worthy. 

Check it out and come to your own conclusions: “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” (Mark 9:35, NIV) “Then he said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.’” (Luke 9:48, NIV)  

Wait a minute—let’s get that straight. To be first, we must be last; to be served, we first must serve others; and to really live, we must first die. Wow! 

friend, does that sound natural to you? 

I always had a hard time applying this to my life. I’m a high achiever, goal-oriented type of person. I’m a positive thinker who likes to solve problems and move into the promised land for my own life and my family’s. But my thinking and feelings started to change in France 15 years ago.

My friend John Maxwell asked me to teach Equip in France. He had just finished creating a curriculum to train leaders that was propelled by a vision he called “the million leader mandate.” He didn’t know any French leaders, so he asked me to start it all. 

Well, friend, I can tell you I said yes but later regretted my quick response. First of all, it was a huge financial commitment. I was committing to supporting Equip every month with a big donation and paying for all my travel expenses. It was truly overwhelming, but the emotional cost was even higher. My French was terrible, and I wasn’t well-received by the local leadership in Paris. They welcomed my offer to teach Equip with “We don’t like leaders here—we cut off their heads.” This was said in jest, of course, but sincere disgust was in their voices. 

Quite a welcoming party, wasn’t it? It seemed like my “yes” had become an impossibility until God spoke to my mind. Faced with constant hardship, I heard His voice: “Paul, be a Barnabas.” 

Barnabas learned an important lesson. He had a nickname: “the son of encouragement.” I can assure you that he faced persecution from non-believers and resentment from some Christians (see Acts 15:39, NIV). But Barnabas never lost his faith in God or in giving people a second chance because he had the right attitude.

I discovered the way of encouragement and service that would transform French-speaking leaders. friend, what will transform your family, business, or city? Become a Barnabas...that’s how you become a miracle.