“ONE THING (BOSS GOD)”

If Jesus is going to be our North Star, we must learn to view him as he is, not as we want him to be.

Yesterday, we discovered a warped view of God called Genie God: a divine being who exists to meet our every need.

Today, we’ll discover another distortion: Boss God.

ONLY ONE THING IS NECESSARY

To understand Boss God, we’ll examine a story that begins as Jesus enters the village of Bethany, a few miles outside of Jerusalem. Luke’s Gospel tells us that a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house (Luke 10:38 ESV). Martha, generous and hospitable, creates space in her life for Jesus.

As dinnertime approaches, we see a contrast. Martha had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. (Luke 10:39-40 ESV)

Martha served while Mary sat. Martha waited on Jesus while Mary sat with him.

Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.

Eventually, Martha exploded. She went up to Jesus and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me.”

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:40-42)

There’s that phrase again: One Thing.

FIRST LOVE

We discover similar themes in Jesus’ message for the church at Ephesus at the beginning of Revelation.

He begins with encouragement. I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. (Revelation 2:2-3 ESV).

Both Ephesus and Martha were impressive and hard working. The only problem was they were too busy serving God to spend time with him.

The church at Ephesus was similar to Martha: diligent, perceptive, enduring, and patient.

But then, Jesus says this: But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. (Revelation 2:4-5 ESV)

Both Ephesus and Martha were impressive and hard working. The only problem was they were too busy serving God to spend time with him.

MY GREATEST STRUGGLE

I want to be like Mary – unrushed and unhurried, enjoying every moment of life with God. I never want to abandon my first love.

But if I’m honest, my life often looks like Martha. I’m ambitious and I have a world-changing to-do list. I want to be a great friend, great employee, great leader, great pastor, great husband, and great father.

But sometimes, my list of good things excludes God.

I knew I loved God. But I started to wonder if I liked him.

A few years ago, I noticed a concerning pattern in my life. Whenever I had a sermon to preach, my zeal for God was at an all-time high. I would seek Him like crazy. I would study my brain full, preach my heart out, and then crash emotionally. Often, I wouldn’t read my Bible for a few days. Then the pressure of another sermon would creep up, and the cycle would start again.

I knew I loved God. But I started to wonder if I liked him. Would I cancel plans to hang out with Him? Did I enjoy God, or just want to preach great sermons?

Like Martha, Jesus had become my boss.

THE DANGER OF BOSS GOD

When we slip into this view of God, it isn’t because we’re afraid of him. We think he’s a really great boss.

“Here I am, God, reporting for duty,” we say. “Tell me what you want me to do, and I’ll obey!”

But if we aren’t careful, we begin to enjoy the thrill of accomplishment more than Jesus. The adrenaline rush of “crushing it” or the admiration of those around us can quickly become our North Star.

Everyone assumes we love Jesus because of our spiritual activity.

Those who serve in ministry are in special danger of slipping into the view of Boss God. Our frenetic pace seems impressive, so no one stops to ask about our souls. Everyone assumes we love Jesus because of our spiritual activity.

But behind the scenes, we can be driven by a need for control, anger toward the people in our lives, and emotional and spiritual wounds.

THIS ISN’T KUMBAYA

I worry that by writing these words, people will think that I’m advocating that we spend all our time sitting around a campfire, singing Kumbaya, and accomplishing nothing except sending positive vibes into the universe.

By no means. Jesus was a man of action, mighty in deed and word before God and all the people. (Luke 24:19 ESV). He accomplished great things, and he wants us to do the same.

But greatness in God’s Kingdom doesn’t start with “crushing it” in front of our boss. It begins with being loved by our Father.

Jesus’ achievements were not isolated from his relationship with God. They flowed from their intimacy like water springs forth from a deep well.

WE NEED MORE THAN A BOSS

God wants to empower us to do great things for his kingdom. But like Jesus, our accomplishments must not be detached from intimacy.

Jesus once said Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me… apart from me, you can do nothing. (John 15:4-5 ESV)

Jesus’ achievements were not isolated from his relationship with God. They flowed from their intimacy like water springs forth from a deep well.

As we follow our rabbi, our lives will be filled with good works. But our deeds will not be separated from our intimacy with our Heavenly Father. They will spring from it – a beautiful mosaic of life with God and ministry for Him.

Tomorrow, we will begin to discover how to have the heart of Mary. We will learn how to accomplish great things for God, all while spending our lives sitting at the feet of Jesus.

NEXT STEPS:

1: Read John 15:1-11. Write down one thing that you learned.
2: What does it mean to abide in Jesus? Research the word “abide” in the dictionary, and spend time asking God to show you how to abide in Jesus in your daily life.
3: Text one friend one thing that you learned.

Tomorrow: Week 1, Day 5 – “Coffee Mugs”