The root idea for today's note comes from the overall topic that I have been trying to get my Sunday School classes to see for over a decade. That point is that - We are all leaders, regardless of our position. This is because God has called us out of the world to be salt and light. No matter who we are and where we are, there is someone, somewhere, that is watching and looking to all of us to be their leader, or to provide direction, or to give encouragement to them. Maybe it is a family member, a friend, a co-worker, a child, etc, but someone is seeking or looking to us for leadership, direction, and/or encouragement. With that understood, we have the responsibility to give them good advice and council. To do that correctly we must look to the Bible, and allow it to be our guide in directing and leading them. In that vein, let us look at the Old Testament and see what can be found in Jeremiah 6.
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Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, `We will not walk in it.'
Jeremiah 6:17 I appointed watchmen over you and said, `Listen to the sound of the trumpet!' But you said, `We will not listen.'
Jeremiah 6:18 Therefore hear, O nations; observe, O witnesses, what will happen to them.
Jeremiah 6:19 Hear, O earth: I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their schemes, because they have not listened to my words and have rejected my law.
Jeremiah 6:20 What do I care about incense from Sheba or sweet calamus from a distant land? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable; your sacrifices do not please me."
So, simply today I challenge you to look to the ancient paths / the historic ways of the Lord and find rest in your soul. If you are already doing that great, but continue to do it and do not change your habits over time. In the process of looking to the ancient paths / the historic ways you will help those around you, and those that look to you for leadership, find rest as well. I know the challenge to look to the past has to sound crazy coming from someone like me that spends A LOT of time working with modern technology and is always looking to use some new way to reach people. I mean hey I am the guy that considers Big Daddy Weave extremely talented, but just a bit too calm for my everyday taste. Basically though, the root of all that we do should be God and His ways. Our delivery and methods may change, they may be up to date or in the process of being updated currently, but the truth, way and habits of God have not and never will change. We all have a duty to be sure that we are following God's leadership pattern before we began trying to lead others.
I included the last two verses for a specific reason. The first reason is that I think God’s people should be excited and motivated by all the recent opportunities to serve and be involved that we have had. God is moving, He is blessing, He is providing, and He is using us. We have to remember that it is not our work / sacrifice that is provoking the success, but His blessing and provision. The key to great leadership is not making everyone feel good about themselves, but being sure that everyone is right with God, and allowing Him to flow out of their lives.
We all have the responsibility to be a leader in the church, in our homes, in our community, to our friends, to our family and to non believers that look to us for leadership. God has given us a path and a guide to live by. It is timeless, inerrant and perfect. The key is to not allow our wonder lust, worldly influence, basic pride and greed, and lack of patience to drive us to destruction and loss because we are "too busy", "too advanced", "too educated", and "too ...." for God.
That brings me to the second reason I included the last two verses. I have heard too many times in recent years how many Christians and members of certain other groups are not advanced and intelligent enough to understand the importance of moral grayness and flexibility in leaders. Apparently those that believe in consistency, character, and honesty do not understand the importance of a leader not trying to impact others by standing for their own personal values. Several times I have heard, or read, how we must understand the importance of adjusting personal values where the values do not hurt or impact others. The following is meant to be a broad statement, and should not be interrupted to be about any specific issue, person or situation. It is however a statement that I think should be applied in all areas of life - church, family, relationships, politics, work, etc. If the sign of intelligence and advanced thinking in leaders is based on their ability to be morally gray and flexible then I want to be counted as a bumbling, simpleton forever. To add to that point I plan to find and follow similar bumbling, simpletons until I die. I say this because I want my leaders, regardless of the area of my life that is involved, to be consistent, moral, of high character, and honest. I want leaders that seek God before they seek the opinions of man. I want leaders that stand for things, even when those things are not popular. Simply, ignoring God does not lead us to strength, intelligence or power, but to destruction and ruin. Long live simple minded moral leaders / people, regardless of their denomination, party affiliation, and physical location, that look to the Bible as a guide for how to live and lead.
Have a great day and be strong and courageous as you look to the ancient paths for direction and guidance. He is with us, He is blessing us, He is guiding us, and He is moving us along the same paths that He has used in the past. Let us all be sure that we are doing what we can to stay with Him as He continues down those same ancient paths in the future.
