Free Style
Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” John 11:44 NASB
I don’t want to date myself, however it is clear that the term “freestyle” is not a new term. It’s a term that gives one the privilege to be mobile, free, and uninhibited by whatever may be around. When it comes to music, freestyling gives the musician by way of singing or playing the opportunity to sing without constraints that are limited by a certain key or range—you can just go for it!
Freestyling in youth ministries is the most amazing thing for a youth leader. The brakes are taken off, the fetters are loosed, and restraints are only used as caution to keep older people from getting hurt—right? I know youth leaders have a heart for students and a desire to be creative and allow those that they lead exercise the same gifts within the context of a spiritual setting.
The issue many times is dealing with the dead. The youth ministry is dead, the youth are dead, the church is dead nothing Is alive. This is where we find Jesus and His team, in front of Lazarus’ tomb. Lazarus didn’t survive the health challenge and it is clear Jesus didn’t get to Lazarus in time to prevent his ultimate demise, so it seems. I am hopeful even in situations like this, especially for youth leaders who have arrived in front of their lifeless youth groups and lifeless churches and lifeless support staff.
It is clear to you that Jesus didn’t arrive in time to keep the ministry alive so that you would have to be a part of a resurrection service. I do believe that at times it is necessary for a burial of what is not working so that Christ can give new life and freestyling can take place. The opportunity to start over is not always daunting, it can actually be a blessing.
Jesus arrives at Lazarus’ grave and Lazarus’ family members are there bothered that Jesus would even show His face at this most challenging time in their life. Isn’t it true? Jesus will show up, sometimes He waits until it is the most difficult of times for you in leadership. He sometimes waits until it’s the most difficult time in your youth program. He sometimes delays until all human, skilled, college-trained, certificate holding leaders are completely exhaustive of ideas, tricks and gimmicks so that He can resurrect something brand new in you. If you are at your wits end and feel that what you have been working on is dead, hold on Christ is the master of resurrection on His timeline not ours. I am elated that Christ performed a resurrection that day in front of His team members, and even in front of the family members of Lazarus.
I am elated because it says to me no matter how challenging it gets the team must remain together. The team must work through the issues together. Pray through the issues together and above all remain #oneteam even in the darkest of hours. This happened with Lazarus’ family and I want to encourage you to allow it to happen with your team. Jesus calls Lazarus from the grave, and he comes forward completely wrapped, restrained, and bound. Jesus gives Words of Life to all youth leaders. Jesus gives a freestyle Word, “Unbind him, and let him go.” Jesus too believes in freestyling.
The good news for you today is that all the ideas you have dreamed about, all the promptings of the Holy Spirit you have received, all the thoughts towards moving students from grace to grace can be realized today if you allow Christ to unbind what has always been and loose you to go “freestyle” listening to His voice, His commands, His instructions. Prepare today for a new beginning.
#OneTeamChallenge
- Where do you need a resurrection to take place in your life? In your ministry?
- Is it possible you are trying to keep some aspect of your ministry alive that Christ wants dead, so He can do something new? What needs to die starting today?
- Christs’ command to loose Lazarus is a command to you today. Name those things that you would like Christ to loose you from?
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Today Christ I receive the gift of resurrection and the gift to freestyle as I listen to your voice. #Freestyle #OneTeam #UnbindMe