Pride Popper

As I’m fond of doing, I was listening to Matt Chandler’s sermon yesterday morning before work.  He’s started a series out of Habakkuk, and I’ve been so looking forward to it.  

So, while not what the sermon was about, Chandler said something during his sermon that really struck me.  He was talking about King Josiah.  King Josiah, King of Judah, led a revival in Judah the likes of which had never been seen.  He restored worship in the temple, and hunted down idolatry throughout Judah.  Then, mysteriously, he went out to battle against Pharaoh  Necho, and was killed in battle.  You can read this story in 2 Kings Chapter 23.

Chandler’s point was this:  When you read Josiah’s story, it should strike you that his death and burial took one verse.  In the next verse, the story continues with King Jehoahaz.  

Literally, Josiah died in one verse, and then the story went on.  This was the great revivalist of Judah, the man who restored worship to the temple and was instrumental in turning the people’s hearts back to God.  

And with that much fanfare, his story ended.  but God’s story went on.  

While Josiah might live eternally in scripture and in history, it’s very probable that we won’t.  Many of God’s people who have done tremendous work haven’t, and there’s no reason for us to believe that we will either.

So many young people I know believe that leadership and godly work are going to somehow secure them a place in history.  They want to make a mark, and are using leadership and works to make that mark.  Rather than wanted to be servants, they want leadership to serve them.  I wish this kind of pride didn’t exist in us, but it does.  

Josiah’s story is a good reminder that even the godliest men and women die, are buried, and then the story goes on.  So it will be with us.  At best, we have very small parts in God’s very large story.  Whenever we can remind ourselves of that, I think we should.  It gives us proper perspective.

Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today,

Matt  

Resolve to Lead

Leading is an intentional act. 

 It takes making an effort that we don’t always want to make, and sometimes forget to make.  Either way, when we don’t lead, we turn into something that we don’t want to be, and something people don’t want to be around.

To lead in a Christian manner, you have to put others in front of yourself.  

You have to remember that not only are you not the most important thing going, but you are the least important thing going.  People are people, not “human resources.”

Being a Christian leader means realizing that people don’t work for you or follow you, but that you actually serve them; you work for them.  Being a servant isn’t easy, but it’s what God has called leaders to do.  

Maybe most importantly, being a Christian leader means being tuned in to God’s plan rather than your own.  This means that you don’t work the way the rest of the world does, you don’t view success the same, and you don’t treat your “resources” the same.  It’s a whole new paradigm to work and lead by, all powered by the Holy Spirit.

This year, I resolve to lead.  

I pray God gives me the courage and strength to put myself last and those I serve first; that He guides me in intentionality, and anchors my leadership in love.  

It is a great privilege to lead in God’s Kingdom.  It is an even greater responsibility.  I pray that this year God makes me worthy of the privilege and empowers me for the responsibility.

Training Tomorrow’s Leaders Today

Matt