Originally Published: September 2012
Growing up in an African-American home and culture, I became very familiar with the word “mojo.” Its root, from my understanding, was African and had to do with some magic and some prayer. My dad used to play a Jimmy Smith jazz song all the time called, “Got My Mojo Working”. But now that I’ve grown up, I realize that mojo isn’t really about magic.
Instead, mojo refers to having nerve. Audacity, Risk, Authority. Powerful confidence within. Mojo has an edge to it. A sharp edge. In the early '90s I watched a freshman quarterback who had an edge to him take over our Nebraska football team-—mojo!
Tommy Frazier became one of the greatest competitors in college football history, helping his team to three straight national championship games, winning two of them. Believe me, Frazier’s mojo wasn’t very likeable or friendly. He didn’t aim to please everyone or win any popularity contests. Even though it would seem like a no-brainer for an All-America quarterback to be captain of his own team, Frazier never was.
Frazier’s mojo was so intense it often offended our players on a personal level, even though that wasn’t the intention. Despite that, Frazier was undoubtedly the leader of those teams, and his teammates followed him passionately. Mission accomplished!
Why? Well, feelings and popularity don’t meet high standards. It takes mission. It takes mojo!
When I began following Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord, I recognized He was on a mission. It wasn’t about His feelings or popularity. Jesus has mojo! Going to the cross took mojo, and saving you and me took mojo.
If you don’t believe me, read Matthew 16:21-23. Right after Jesus commissioned Peter to lead the church when He was gone, He explained that the mission required Him to die and be raised again. Peter rebuked Jesus, and that’s when we see Jesus’ mojo!
“But He turned and told Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns, but man’s.’”
The mojo of Jesus should be seen all over His followers, inside and out. It happened to Paul. In Acts 21:10-12, we see the prophet Agabus warning Paul to stay out of Jerusalem because his life would be threatened there. We get to see Paul’s mojo in verse 13: “Then Paul replied, ‘What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’”
Have we, as Christians in America, lost our mojo in Christ? I’m not talking about our relationship, but our fellowship, our mojo, our nerve and audacity for Jesus, our confidence to be radical and take risks in His name. Mojo is our guts and courage. Mojo comes from depth, not shallow waters. Mojo isn’t safe. It doesn’t always make sense. It’s not reliant on a pep talk every Sunday morning. Mojo is the outside-the-box thinking, believing and living with conviction found in Christ alone. Mojo isn’t circumstance-based. It’s not politically correct, but rather anywhere and any time! Mojo doesn’t need a certain number of votes to proceed or succeed. Mojo stands alone often. Sometimes it’s painful, dangerous and lonely, and yet it stands!
Mojo has no trick or treat. No magic. It’s wise, strong, brave and full of grace and truth. Mojo doesn’t hide. It kicks fear out the door, while ushering its love and fullness into the arena. Mojo begins in a private place and unleashes into the public square. Mojo is the place where greatness is made (an empty stadium) and where that same greatness is revealed (in front of thousands). Mojo isn’t playing a home game in the safe confines of acceptance and familiarity. Nope, mojo is the “swag” on a road trip faced with hostility, when you’re asking all those who oppose your expression of God, “I got Jesus; who you got!?”
Have you lost your mojo? If you need to get it workin’ again, Jesus is ready when you are.