Don’t Lose the Plot

We don’t watch a lot of TV, but we do enjoy watching some British crime dramas like Shetland. The shows are enjoyable, with likable characters, beautiful scenery, pleasant accents, and interesting plot lines.

But I need to stop watching them late at night.

I get tired at night and I’m known to doze off. The makers of these crime shows throw so many storylines at the viewer that it’s easy to miss not only the details but the overall plot. It’s easy to lose the plot.

Just like in life. Just like in ministry. Except in life and ministry, the stakes are so much higher than in watching a TV show.

The Point of Life and Ministry

In Colossians 1:28-29, Paul writes: “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.”

For Paul, both life and ministry are about Jesus. Read any of Paul’s letters and you see: Paul can’t stop talking about his Savior. He has a one-track mind. Jesus is his favorite and only topic. When he writes, it’s either about Jesus or about what the reality of Jesus means for our lives.

Paul’s not content with words. He travels the Roman world and tells people about Jesus. When his ministry costs, Paul is happy to pay everything he has for the privilege of telling more people about Jesus. He won’t rest. He struggles with all his energy, and as he does so, God powerfully works through him.

Paul gets the plot. Once Paul discovered Jesus, he saw all of life through the lens of who Jesus is and what it means for every person he meets. Once you see who Jesus is, that reality changes everything, and it’s hard to talk about anything else.

Lesser Storylines

To be sure, lesser storylines exist.

Life tips for better living.

Leadership wisdom to improve your life and organization.

Personality tips.

Critiques of the left or of the right.

Commentary on current events.

Attacks on those who have it wrong.

All of these have their place, although the place for some of them is in the garbage bin outside. It’s not that they’re all wrong. They’re just lesser storylines. They are not central to the plot. The plot is all about Jesus.

Sometimes I look around and notice how easy it is to start to lose the plot. When I see it in others, I assume the same is true of me as well.

So here’s my plea to you and to me.

Don’t get drowsy or distracted. Don’t settle for lesser storylines. This week, and every week after, make your life and ministry all about Jesus. Ask God to give you a relentless focus on who Jesus is and what he’s done to save us and the world.

And when the other storylines compete, put them in their place. It’s okay to talk about them, but not to give them a central place in the story. Make your life and ministry all about Jesus. Be know as someone who can’t stop talking about your Savior.

Don’t lose the plot.