Most Christian readers seem to know and listen to Andy Stanley, founder of Catalyst and Northpoint Church, now, but I can actually say my history listening to him goes a little farther than the norm. As a teenager in Marietta, I attended Metro Bible Study, a nondenominational weekly event. Andy was one of the featured speakers. One of his messages, “My Yoke Is Easy,” struck such a chord with me that it gave me definition to some of my high school experience.
This morning, I listened to his latest leadership podcast, “Do For One.” The basic premise is that our leadership is sometimes paralyzed by the idea that since we can’t “do for all, we do for no one.” We’re afraid to pour extra effort into one individual or cause, in fear of coming under fire from the others. However, Andy said, doing for one will keep your heart soft and display your compassion to others.
Andy didn’t just come up with this concept out of the blue. Christ modeled it, most notably with the man at the pool of Bethesda. He asked the man if he wanted to be healed and instead of instantly healing him, gave him instructions for his healing. No doubt there were others around, but it doesn’t say Jesus did for all.
I admit that I have been afraid to “do for one” through the years. Being in leadership roles, especially in regard to youth ministry, presents a dilemma whether or not to go to the extra mile for someone. When you do pour a little extra into someone, you feel like you have to keep your reasoning ready in your back pocket in case someone questions your actions.
For the most part, I’ve been a cut-and-dried consistency-is-everything rules man. As Andy said, this has somewhat paralyzed my actions, in the same way some might intimidate themselves into withdrawing from causes that seem too big to tackle. Thanks for your thoughts today, Andy. I’m determined move past hesitation and anxiety into action.
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