This Saying is Hard
I remember an incident at one of my corporate executive posts. I was assigned as the head of an existing team, with a mandate to turn around the unit’s performance. After investigating and consulting, I decided upon a course of action. I called a meeting with the twenty members of the team. As I presented the action plan, there was a ‘grumbling’ at one corner of the room. I stoped and asked for feedback.
One of the supervisors stood up and said words to the effect of those in this week’s Gospel John 6: 60-69 ‘Many of the disciples said ‘this saying is hard; who can listen to it?’ and proceeded to call on the team members to follow him out of the room. He had his followers and as many as 50% of the members immediately got up and left the room. As I read and reflected on this week’s Gospel, I relived the astonishment and confusion I felt at the time.
In this week’s Gospel narrative, Jesus encounter’s a similar sentiment among his followers. So often we choose to reject ‘sayings that are hard’ instead of taking time to ponder and reflect on them. When faced with transformative ideas, that go against established narrow beliefs, we often erect walls and demonstrate immediate opposition.
Jesus was calling his disciples to a deeper relationship with Him, and with the Father, one of intimacy - ‘Abide in me, and I in Him’. But the expansive nature of the call was too much for the group of disciples to accept. So also, my course of action went against established norms that had resulted in failure, yet some team members were unwilling to leave their comfort zone.
For us to grow, to go beyond our present reality, we have to leave the safety of the shore. In Luke 5: 4 , Jesus tells Simon ‘Put out into the deep and lower your nets for a catch’. This was after a night of fishing without any success. He grumbled but obeyed and was rewarded with a catch that filled their nets to tearing.
Probably you too, my reader, are being called by Jesus to a deeper relationship. As you reflect on this, consider whether there are areas in your life where you resist stepping out into the deep, clinging instead to the familiarity of the shore. Jesus calls us to trust, to venture beyond our comfort zones, and to embrace the unknown with faith.
Just as Simon experienced a miraculous catch by obeying Jesus' command, so too can we discover profound blessings when we surrender to His guidance. As you journey through this week, I encourage you to listen closely to where Jesus might be inviting you to go deeper, trusting that He will be with you every step of the way.
NOTICE BOARD
This post resonates with our Life Transitions Program explained in the video below. If you are interested click on the following link.
This resonates profoundly with me. Thank you.