Where Do My Opportunities Differ From My Ambitions?

I love the minor characters in the Bible, the people that appear in a verse or two and are never heard from again. It feels like God is saying that the people in the audience sometimes have the most important work to do. My favorite is Simon of Cyrene, who was pulled out of the crowd to carry the cross of Jesus and then just disappears. I get a lump in my throat whenever I think of that guy. My second favorite is Joseph of Arimathea. He’s the one who asked Pilate for the body of Jesus after the crucifixion.

Mark tells us that Joseph was a respected member of the Sanhedrin who was “looking for the kingdom of God.” So in one sense he was an insider, part of Israel’s supreme court, but he also wasn’t satisfied with the typical systems. Joseph was winning a game that didn’t really matter, so he was looking for something else, and he knew it when he saw it.

“Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.”

The word order in the original language is different from our English translations, and it’s slightly awkward. It literally says “Went Joseph of Arimathea a respected member of the council.” Mark’s point is to highlight Joseph’s decisive action. There is no discussion or planning because Joseph knew this was what he had been looking for, and he was in a position to act. He was a spiritual decider and a political leader who would have access to Pilate. In some ways he was the only one who could act, so he jumped in. And it was dangerous. Pilate had the real power so “courage” was required. Here was a respected man who was trained to sit, discuss and decide, who was now jumping to action; that should catch our attention. Everyone knew he was studied and wise, but now he was bold, and don’t miss that Mark says all this in one sentence.

When Ann and I were finishing seminary we started thinking through our next steps. We were looking at missions, teaching and pastoring, all positions that would keep us out of the “audience.” Right as we started applying for positions my father called and asked us to come back to the family business, summer camping. This was a terrible option. It was hard work in an industry that wasn’t doing well, and it was a huge step away from what we had been studying for three years to do. I was also the only one in a position to do it. Of course, in the end it was a great decision, but it was harder than we expected, and residential camping has a particular way of laying bare all of our personal weaknesses. Working with family can have some special challenges too. But camping finally brought more kingdom impact than we could have had anywhere else. It was a step into the audience and into the kingdom work we were supposed to do.

Two questions:

1. Where do my opportunities differ from my ambitions?

2. James Clear says to decide what sort of person you want to be and prove it to yourself with small wins. What action are you going to take?