Yet, how easy it is for me to listen to the whispers at work in my mind and heart that trys to tell me that I am somehow missing out on all that the world has to offer by following the Lord's ways. We are deceived when we think that God is trying to keep us from good things. The Bible says, that God is good, and His mercy endures forever. Tempting though many things of this world are, they are superficial, at best. They will be destroyed by fire. And if we seek them in a primary way, they will always eventually develop into sin, and continual sin (placing secondary, legigimate blessings from God - family, friends, possessions, ministry, etc, - i.e., almost everytime God poured out His temporal blessings on Israel, they turned away from seeking Him and to seeking His blessings) not dealt with, damages and eventually kills our fellowship and relationship with God and with each other.
No time outs and no time off!
After seasons of great blessing, one often feels that they will never look elsewhere for peace, joy and fulfilment ever again. Yet it's so apparent that it doesn't take long, if we don't guard ourselves against it, up front and in the midst of life, to slip again into attitudes or actions which grieve Holy Spirit.
Especially as leaders, we need to constantly pray and meditate (to meditate means to turn the Scriptures into conversation with a divine Person) on the Word of God that we do not go astray. There is nothing so good and pleasing, both to ourselves and to God, than when we walk in His perfect will. And how bad do we feel when we are out of that close relationship of intimacy? I know personally, that the closer I have become to God, the more I am aware when I am not walking as closely as I should.
I've found that it's quite easy, as one goes on in their Christian life, to become either legalistic and religious, or careless. We should never be doing things with a mere sense of Christian "duty"; there is no gain for us as believers, and certainly, over time, the power and fire in our ministry will be lost.
At the same time, one of the divine paradoxes of the Kingdom of God, I know that the Lord is emphasizing by His Spirit that we must be increasingly evaluative of ourselves, and each other. Not so that we live our life in constant condemnation, and not so that we can judge each other, but so that we do not place distinction between what we might see as 'little sins' and 'big sins'. It is possible to reach a situation where we only feel we have sinned and displeased God if the action displeases us also. Many smaller actions can simply become part of our character, our nature, our lifestyle. This should not, and cannot be.
We shouid continually examine ourselves, reflecting upon how closely our lives reflect the values that Christ lived out. We must ask Holy Spirit to show us those areas of our lives that we struggle with; where our weaknesses are; and seek with strong desire that by His power we shall be built up in those areas. And many times He will use our brothers and sisters to do that.
The importance of Godly friends
Case in point:
The church where I serve as prayer pastor and worship leader, Southside Christian Fellowship, is a good example of what I mean. The senior pastor, Eddie Mason, isn't just my boss, or my leader, he's one of my closest friends. In fact he is closer to me than my own flesh-and-blood brother!
God has abundantly blessed me by allowing Eddie's presence in my life. I don't have to worry about where I stand with Eddie (nor he with me). I know that Eddie is my friend no matter what. I know that he loves me no matter what. I know that he believes the best of me, even in the face of contradiciory circumstances. He quickly comes to my defense if someone even hints at expressing negative comments about me. Why? Because he is my friend!
Even during the times when we disagree, he respects what I say and how I feel. He never judges me, he never disregards my counsel or advice, but instead takes each word I say, each reccomendation that I make before the Lord and painstakingly asks the Father if it is true. Why? Because he is my friend!
And the relationship is reciprocated by me back to Eddie. I love and respect him. Because I know his heart, if anything or anyone seems to contradict the friend that I know, I believe the best, and hope the best. Eddie says often, "If you are going to err, err on the side of mercy!"
As a result of the bond that God has blessed us with, as a buffer of protection for each other in the work God has called us to labor together in, we can, and do, often get in each other's face. I ask Eddie often, where do I stand, how am I doing, what areas in my life do I need to be working on, etc.
And he tells me. He isn't shy, he just tells me. I know that he prays for me constantly (and I for him). I know that because he is my friend, he fasts and prays and seeks God on my behalf, in order to better facilitate his helping me to succeed, both as an individual, and as his fellow laborer in ministry. If God does speak something to him, he comes to me quickly and lovingly, he shares with me, crawls down into the trenches and battles with me, weeps with me, rejoices with me, prays with me and loves me.
As a result of this type of relationship, I know that I can trust him. And because I know that I can trust him, I am more secure to be who God has called me to be. I am secure to be open and honest and transparent. I don't have to fear rejection.
But I'm not stupid
Though I am secure. Though I know that I am a lover of God, though I know that I am successful in the primary sense because of who God is and because of who he is in me, I still don't trust my own heart to lead me unassissted, for it is decietful above all things! So I willingly, and often, run to someone who loves and is committed to me, to help shepherd my walk into what is often uncharted waters. Blessed is the man who has a true friend!
I said all of that to say this, that as leaders it is of paramount importance that we surround ourselves with others whom we trust and respect, constantly seeking their advice and counsel, and so must we ourselves always have concern for others, so that we can stand together, building one another up, encouraging, correcting, teaching. We must seek to have humble and open hearts; criticism, however loving in delivery, can be difficult to accept. We must choose to be humble, teachable, pliable, usable!
Let us not forget what God has called us to. Let us not get caught up in the ways of the world, tempting though they may be on the surface. Let us continue to seek the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
