“Anything we do for Christ must be born out of a daily attentiveness to his leading and direction.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – May 14, 2026
One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Luke 9:1-2, NLT
One of the things I love about team sports is the way they require unity in purpose and attentiveness to the coach’s direction. In the modern game of football, the quarterback literally has a headset in his helmet, receiving the plays from the coach and then huddling the team together to communicate the plan and ensure everyone is on the same page. And even in a more free-flowing sport such as basketball, where the team is improvising as they go, the steady hand of the coach is still present, and he or she is ready to call a time-out and bring the team together whenever clear direction and inspiration are needed.
You and I cannot “go, go, go!” in the name of Jesus if we are not first “sent, sent, sent!” by Jesus! Anything we do for Christ must be born out of a daily attentiveness to his leading and direction. Notice this clear rhythm in Luke 9. The twelve disciples are given an incredible mission, telling everyone about the Kingdom of God and healing in the name of Jesus. Yet before they are sent, they are called together. To do the work they’ve been given to do, they must first receive “power and authority” from the one who rules and reigns over all!
And notice the communal nature of this calling. Jesus doesn’t bring them in one by one to have a private session. “John, you do this. Peter, you do that.” No, they are called together. Though the image certainly breaks down quickly, we could say that the Christian faith is a team sport! Empowering for mission unites the people of God to the Lord, yet it also unites them to one another. When we are connected to Christ, we find the source of our ability to love one another and stay in fellowship and shared mission.
To follow Jesus is to live on mission with his people, called together under his reign and sent out on mission to share his love with a world in need.
Prayer
Father, keep us connected to Christ at all times, that we may stay united to one another and faithfully remain on mission for all our days, in the power of the Spirit we pray. Amen.
Application
Reflect today on how this truth of being called together and sent out is at work in your life and community of faith.
Related Reading
Psalm 133:1; John 17:20-21; Acts 1:8
Worship Resource
Keith & Kristyn Getty ft. Chris Tomlin: O Church Arise (Arise, Shine)
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