Dear Lighthouse,
Serving God is difficult. That’s probably not what you wanted to hear from an e-mail that is designed to be encouraging. Please bear with me. As our church looks
toward a future that includes more persons filling servant roles and roles of leadership, many will discover first hand the
double-flanking maneuver that is used by the Enemy. The two thrusts of the attack
come in the forms of pride and despair.
Often, when faithfully serving the Kingdom, we
fight an inner battle with one or the other. Either we feel like we are everything
and nothing could be done without us or we feel as if we are nothing and would better serve by giving up. Neither thought is an accurate assessment of our service, but both are formidable struggles to work through.
The apostle Peter writes a message to various
groups of servants in I Peter 5. His words are
warnings and encouragement both for those of us who struggle to find our way in leadership to the King. He admonishes the elders of the church to serve “because you are willing” and not “lording
it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock”. To
the young men he says “in the same way be submissive to those who are older” and to “clothe yourselves
with humility toward one another because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’”.
Peter is keenly aware that there exists a tension
in oneself when you fill the role of a leader. You may tend to think “more
highly of yourself that you ought” (Rom. 12:3).
It is difficult sometimes to look past yourself and see the true reason for your success or to quickly dismiss yourself
as the source of a failure. Check out Galatians 2
(esp. v. 11) for a story about Peter and Paul meeting head-on over the issue of Peter’s leadership within the church. It’s a good account of brothers working out their differences.
So, the prideful leader forgets God and credits
himself while the despairing leader worries because of the many burdens placed on his or her shoulders. They too forget God has promised to sustain them.
Paul was afflicted
with some “thorn in the flesh” (v. 7) as he describes it in II Cor. 12. Ironically it was to keep him humble, but that’s another issue... Three times he asks for it to be removed but God responds in v. 9 “My grace is sufficient for
you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”. Paul felt inadequate
to the task for which he was called. Imagine that, the apostle Paul! For an insight into his inner thought struggles check out Rom. 7:14-21. It’s a very interesting insight into this great leader’s mental battles.
But Paul
turns to the right place for his confidence; he turns to the Lord. God reminds
all those in His service that He “is able to keep you from falling” (Jude 1:24). This passage makes me think back to the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. Because of their complaining and feint hearts God provided food for them as they wandered
in the desert (which was ironically, again, part of their punishment for lacking faith).
In Exodus 16:11-31 Moses records the story of how God provided manna to the people. Manna, which literally means “what is it?”, was interesting for several
reasons. The most relevant to my point is this: manna lasted only one day and
could not be stored up (except on the Friday, before the Sabbath). You see, God
was teaching His people to rely on Him daily - one day at a time. He wanted them
to become dependent on His grace and provision each and every day. This was an
object lesson for this obstinate and faithless generation. Isn’t it still
a lesson to us today? This is not to give allowance for those who neglect to
plan, are slothful in their approach, or over-commit to serve. No, those are
other pitfalls to avoid. Instead, it is to those leaders reading this that feel
overwhelmed and inadequate to the task. You would do well to remember that His
grace is sufficient for us all. He will help you. As Gal. 6:9 says, “we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”.
So, what can
we conclude? What makes a good leader?
Pride? No. Despair? No. Over-commitment? Definitely, no. I think I can sum it up in one word and one
more example.
Take a look
at John 13:3-5 & 12-17. Let me share some
highlights. “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His
power...” yet “He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with
the towel that was wrapped around Him”. Then He asks them, “Do
you understand what I have done for you?” He explains, “Now
that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.... no servant is greater
than His master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent Him.” Jesus
lived these words all the way to His death - still serving others by giving His life as a ransom for us all.
I ask
again, what makes a good leader? A servant.
A servant makes
the best leader. I pray that you will follow His example and continue serve one
another both within the Lighthouse and within our church. Continue to serve each
other in love by giving meals to those in need, by holding each other accountable and encouraging each other to read and pray
and fast, by supporting one another in fellowship and sharing burdens, by welcoming visitors, and in teaching each other by
example what it is to walk in His steps. You are doing this well now, gang. I encourage you to keep it up. Let’s
allow this spirit of community and zealousness for God’s Word to spill over the boundaries of the Lighthouse and infect
our church at large.
Serving God
is difficult. But as long as He’s being glorified we can do all things
(Phil. 4:13). Let us continue to shine the light
on the Master, the Lord, our model for leadership - the suffering servant, Jesus Christ.
God bless you
as you serve one another.
Serving Him with you,
Evan
