Scripture:
John 13:3 “Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.”
Observation:
We just did a mini study on this verse working through Leadership Essentials, a workbook the staff is going through. The focus was about the servant heart of a leader. The author used this verse to point out that, to truly serve, the leader must have a firm grounding in his identity. Finding that identity in God, realizing our value as a child of God, gives us the ability to serve. Why? Presumably because the intrinsic value over-rides the value derived from what we do. I’m not sure this is necessarily the primary motivation for service. Actually, come to think of it, the motivation comes from verse 1 in this chapter: “…Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world … [and so] he now showed them the full extent of his love.” Christ didn’t serve because of his value to God, but because of deep love for those around him. Whether we are fully aware of and embrace our value as children of God is less relevant to our ability to serve than our love for the other. Further motivation could be better found in grasping that those around us are children of God.
Prayer:
Lord, give me true, deep love for those around me.
Scripture:
Romans 12:8 “If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.”
Observation:
My small group, which I started by saying “I don’t want to lead,” is an arena of my life I seem to struggle with leadership. Not so much in a structured or official way, but in the organic areas of encouragement toward spiritual discipline, admonishments when needed, or intentionality of the time together. I feel like I’m at a crossroads with Ian and Erin. I have the “ability” or the opportunity to lead – I need to take the responsibility seriously.
Application:
I love Ian and Erin – I was telling someone yesterday that they have been part of my identity as an adult; they are dear friends – that said, I absolutely want the best for them. However, I can not let them leave without trying to fix the things that are broken.
Prayer:
Lord … thank you for the opportunity to lead, please help me
Scripture:
Titus 2:7-8 “In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.” (NASB)
Observation:
The letters Paul writes to these young leaders are really pretty cool. They give direction in regard to what the men should be focusing on both in their personal life and as leaders of churches. They outline, in a mentoring manner, the way the men should live. They encourage “360 degree leadership” and are consistent in empowering their role as leaders to everyone in their community.
Application:
I can take encouragement from these letters. Though I’m not in a teaching or highly visible leadership position, I can follow Paul’s exhortation with the hope that, at the very least, I don’t give cause for “the opponent” to despise Christ’s message.
Prayer:
I don’t really have a prayer for this entry – but I do pray for direction about whether we should pursue purchasing a minivan right now or if you want us to wait and allow you to bring one to us.
As I read today nothing really jumped out at me. However, as I prayed and talked with God I kept thinking about Small Group. Last Friday the group unanomously changed the night to Wednesday night – a night which has a high improbablility of Nicole and I ever attending. I began to feel a little “kicked out.” As I continued listening I had a very … odd sensation that maybe God removed us from the group.
Sometime in the last several months I was talking with Seth about the group and he told me I was likely the “leader” of the group, despite that when we set the group up I didn’t want to lead, and I didn’t want to be lead. In any case, there have been several … instances where I was feeling the need to redirect the group as well as make admonishments in a couple areas and I just didn’t. It’s not hard to look through my entries and find the verses telling me to speak up – but I didn’t. I don’t know, but the … question in my heart is whether God decided he would no longer wait for me to lead.
That said, there are certainly other highly likely reasons (or perhaps not directed by God at all). Yet I’m haunted by the chance that I disappointed God to the degree that he’s replacing me.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for our Small Group – please guide our future involvement with it. Whether this is just a brief coincidence, you’re relieving us, or you’re replacing me, please forgive me for the times I’ve felt your direction and not heeded it. Please also be patient with me Lord and continue to (at least try to) use me.
Scripture:
Judges 18:6 “In those days Israel had no king, so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”
Observation:
I love that I get to claim Christ as my king. The plan God laid out after watching his people turn away without leadership is awesome – he removes or abandons the political aspect of kingship and sends his son to earth who atones for the immense sin for every generation to come. Then God raises him, calls him back to heaven, and sends His spirit, allowing anyone willing to call him “king” constant access to His leadership, wisdom, and guidance. Despite the desire to do whatever is right in our own eyes, the desire for direction and purpose in our life speaks volumes of our need for a king.
Prayer:
I submit my life to You, Christ. Be my king – guide my heart and help me follow the path you have laid out for me – I know it is good.
