Fourth Sunday of Easter
Jesus Knew His Why
About six or seven years ago Simon Sinek, David Meade, and Peter Docker authored a book entitled Find Your Why. This book encourages its readers to explore why you do what you do. It summons the readers to look at their calling, their conviction, their mission statement, or their vision of their life’s work.
People have talked about this work by the three authors. I would like to suggest that this sentiment has been around for a very long time. In the tenth chapter of the Gospel of John, specifically in verses 11–18, the Gospel writer records Jesus as claiming who he is and what he has been called or appointed or gifted to be able to do.
Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd.” He knows who he is. Jesus goes on to say, “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Jesus knows what is to come for him. He knows that he must go to the cross. But he willingly accepts that because he knows what his why is, for this world and for eternal life. So we have an example in Scripture of someone who understands and lives out their why. Perhaps we ought to do the same.
Have you done enough contemplating to know what your why is? Are you living out your why to the glory of God and to enhance God’s kingdom? If not yet, I would encourage you to do so. There is no time like the present.
Bruce Nelson, president of the Western District Executive Board
Lake Mills, Wisconsin