A Serving Leadership Insight from the Life of Jesus Christ (Mark 13:7-8)

“When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.” (Mark 13:7-8)

In Mark 13:7–8, Jesus told his disciples not to be alarmed by wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, and famines. “Such things must happen, but the end is still to come,” he revealed. “These are the beginning of birth pains.” No one should be surprised or disheartened by hardship. As Lord of history, Jesus is in full control of future events. Consider the implied contrast in his future kingdom with the presentation of each negative scenario. First, earthly kingdoms will battle for dominance and control, but in Christ’s kingdom all power struggles will end with people released from systems of worldly leadership. Second, natural calamities will shake and plague the planet, but in Christ’s Paradise, all will be secure and all suffering will cease. In short, “Endure; the best is yet to come!” Like Jesus, serving leaders prepare their followers for what lies ahead. They reveal rather than conceal the facts, and they always impart hope and courage.

KEY QUESTIONS: Do I tend to get easily disheartened by hardship? What works best for me to emerge from discouragement? How could I focus more on hope in a definite future than on current temporal realities? Who needs to hear hope and encouragement from me today?