Influencers Weekly Devotional

  As I read this passage, the question I have is, “Why?” Why would the Spirit prevent these missionaries from fulfilling the “Great Commission” Christ gave them, which was to Go and make disciples of all nations? For those of us who take this commission seriously, it is difficult when the Holy Spirit redirects our steps in an instant, taking us away from an agenda we thought was inspired by Him. Should this be confusing to us, or should it be comforting? It depends on our point of view, don’t you think? How so? The observation I see in this passage is that Paul and his companions didn’t ask the question “Why?” as many of us would do. Rather, Paul and his companions responded to the Spirit’s leadership. There was no argument. Even though Paul was the leader of the group, and he had an agenda, there was no requirement to press on with his original plans. There was no pushing forward of a personal agenda or a single-minded perspective. Paul and his companions simply followed the Spirit’s leadership. Wouldn’t this dependence on the Spirit’s leadership, in turn, provide a great comfort and courage for those entering foreign lands and cultures with the Gospel? Wouldn’t such follow-ship by Paul inspire follow-ship by his companions, and in turn, provide comfort and assurance in his leadership? I think so, and it makes me even more convinced that any leadership role I have must be inspired by my own follow-ship of the Spirit’s leadership, whether it’s in my home, or in sharing the Gospel, or leading a ministry. I believe all Christians have a role in some sort of leadership, and the wisdom found in this passage will apply to us all. Too often Christian leaders are driven by conviction or personal ambition to push forward their own agenda, while missing the leadership of the Spirit to go elsewhere. Some of these leaders have good hearts and intentions. However, they fail to maintain flexibility in their agenda, permitting a redirection by the Holy Spirit. Sadly, some leaders have a personal agenda for fame or recognition, and they seek glory for themselves, rather than Christ. So, here’s my advice: Stay with a leader whose heart is good and who has a desire to honor Christ. Help him discover the truth that his agenda must flex to permit the voice of the Holy Spirit to lead. But the leader who drives an agenda to bring glory to himself is dangerous. Do not follow him. He needs to be avoided. Following him will lead to great disappointment, and he will also, one day, discover this firsthand. I indicated all Christians have a role in leadership. I’m sure many of you think “true” Christian leadership is limited to pastoring, serving as an elder or deacon, or leading in some way out front. But think of the leadership roles of a mother and father in the home? Think of how good leadership in the home raises children who will become good leaders someday or who will choose to follow good leadership? In the business culture, think of Christian leadership on one extreme in a boardroom, where a good leader listens to the employees and finds wisdom to lead a company. Then, consider the other extreme where the first impression of a company is made by the Christian receptionist who greets a call or visitor in such a way that a client will want to do business with the company? At all points in vocation or avocation, Christian leadership is found. There is something in common and critical in all of them, in that leadership and follow-ship must be integrated together, if wisdom from above is to be found for leading. Men who want to be an “influence” for the kingdom must consider how they lead. Leadership and follow-shipmust be integrated in our methodology, so we can carry out our Sacred Responsibility in serving God’s agenda in such a way that our leadership is empowered by Him. How do we do establish a climate that will promote this? Let’s see how God’s word leads us: “Folly delights a man who lacks judgment, but a man of understanding keeps a straight course. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” Proverbs 15:21-22 (NIV) Consider that this “man of understanding” mentioned above is a wise Christian leader. What makes this man wise and causes his plans to succeed? Certainly it is because this man seeks counsel and surrounds himself with other people who give greater illumination to his limited point of view. The people he surrounds himself with must be willing to challenge this leader, and he must permit it. He does not need “yes men”, simply to make life comfortable and to make it easier to drive his agenda past them. These people will not help their leader or the cause he serves. This Christian leader needs people who themselves seek God’s counsel for leading their own lives. Christian leaders are not in need of better or more professional consultants who use the ways of the world to accomplish tasks. These leaders need people around them who listen to the Holy Spirit’s leadership for their own lives and are willing to boldly live it out. These followers should be willing to speak to their leader about the Holy Spirit’s leadership they are receiving. Now I must offer this caveat. The Holy Spirit’s leadership is mysterious and is best heard by a team, such as Paul and his companions. I have seen this issue abused many times, as both good-hearted and bad-hearted people have spoken too boldly and too frequently to their leader, in attempt to manipulate him. This is why a leader and the team that surrounds him, must seek and share in such a way that a true interpretation of the Spirit’s leadership is found. If there is one thing that will frighten a Christian leader and cause him to distrust a fellow believer’s counsel, it is when a person attempts to manipulate him by the words, “God told me to tell you ….”   The Holy Spirit does not manipulate. He inspires and leads those who seek Him. This practice will hurt a leader and is something that is not inspired by the Spirit.  Therefore, be very careful how you share His counsel to you about a person you are praying about, for if you are not careful, you can do more damage than good. A Christian leader must surround himself with people with diverse perspectives but with unified hearts and purpose, to bring glory to the King. He must trust these people and seek wisdom that can be found from their point of view. However, let it never be forgotten that if one serves a leader in this position, he must always choose his words carefully before speaking, guarding against divisiveness. This role is a Sacred Responsibility and should be embraced as such. It is in the framework of seeking wisdom from the Holy Spirit and other godly people that a leader finds true inspiration and direction to lead. It is in the perspective of allowing flexibility to move away from an agenda written by the leader, true follow-ship of the Holy Spirit is found. Above all, and at all times, leaders and followers alike must seek and follow the Holy Spirit’s leadership, even if it steers them away from plans they have made. He might prevent you from following a path you thought was right. But by preventing you access to this path, He may be leading you away from a path leading to heartbreak and destruction. Allow Him to lead, and you will never regret it. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Jesus Christ Seeking Him, and listening to those who seek Him, Rocky TO DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THIS DEVOTIONAL, CLICK HERE