Thursday, March 20, 2025
New Testament Reading Plan: Matthew 9
I recently learned about The Four Stages of Competence. Created by Martin M. Broadwell, it explains how people master a skill.
At first, we are all in the “unconscious incompetent” stage, unaware of how terrible we are, like a group of preschoolers playing t-ball. We later move into “conscious incompetent,” the hardest stage, where we realize how far we have to go. Through practice, we reach “conscious competence,” focusing hard on getting the skill right, and finally, “unconscious competence,” when we don’t even have to think about performing the action any more.
In his gospel, Matthew tells the story of when he first met Jesus. It was then that Matthew reached the “conscious incompetence” stage of his spiritual journey, understanding how much he needed Jesus in his life.
When Matthew’s heart was changed, he wanted all of his friends to meet Jesus too. However, the Pharisees did not like the idea of Jesus spending time with Matthew and other disreputable sinners like him.
Matthew 9:12-13
12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”
The Pharisees hadn’t yet reached “conscious incompetence.” They believed they were competent and righteous. Matthew and his friends, however, knew they needed Jesus’ love and grace to change them.
This side of heaven, we will never go beyond “conscious incompetence.” However, that doesn’t mean we can’t grow in our faith. In order to develop, we need to see our failures and shortcomings. We need to let go of our pride and humbly acknowledge that we can’t do it on our own.
Psalm 51:16-17 MSG
16 Going through the motions doesn’t please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. 17 I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don’t for a moment escape God’s notice.
God doesn’t want us to pretend we have it all together. If we continue life this way, we miss the opportunity to truly experience his love. Instead, God wants us to acknowledge our brokenness, to enter that “conscious incompetent” stage. When we offer our shattered hearts, God floods them with his love.
Questions:
Do you recognize your own incompetence? How can you humbly come before God and ask for his help?
Next Steps:
Admit your failures and flaws to God, and trust that he will help you. Ask him to open your eyes to seeing yourself the way that he does.
Invite your unchurched friends to a weekend service so they can experience Jesus for themselves. If you don’t have any, challenge yourself to connect with your neighbors or colleagues at work in order to spread God’s love.
Prayer:
Father, I have messed up, and I know I will continue to mess up. I can’t do this on my own. Thank you for coming to me, for offering love and wholeness to my shattered heart. Please, help me humbly accept your grace. I need you, and I love you. Amen.
Series Theme Verse:
Hebrews 4:15
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.
This post was written by Lydia Snyder, a South attendee and regular contributor to the LivingItOut.