Destiny's Children

The topic of vision has been hot within Christian think tanks for some time. It stands as a foundational concept for those desiring to build more effective leaders -probably an irritant to those happy with the status quo. I love discussions about the power of vision, and I'm on board with those who proclaim its value for leaders.

I was reading in the book of Joshua and came across his sermon to Israel near the close of his life. He reviewed their covenant with God and reminded them of their responsibilities. We often quote the challenge he set before them: "Choose this day whom you will serve." Joshua's intent was to confront God's people with the issues that carried the power to separate them from the land God had promised to their families.

After reviewing the covenant and hearing Israel passionately respond for God, chapter twenty-four records Joshua's final, and likely very rewarding action as Israel's leader. The passage reads: "Then Joshua sent the people away, each to his own inheritance." Every Israelite had fought and endured the ravages of war and the pain of personal failures - all in pursuit of the vision. At this moment in Israel's journey they were individually commissioned to live the vision. It was a fresh understanding - they had become people of destiny.

Destiny is vision's twin sister; they are inseperable - share the same DNA. For decades Moses cast the vision of the Promised Land before them, but with Joshua's leadership the vision became very personal. Now there were family names and geographical boundaries associated with the vision. Each Israelite suddenly saw the vision as a personal destination with very individual benefits. No longer was it only a land of promise, there were names and street addresses attached - it was a place to live and prosper.

For some, vision's beauty hasn't been enough to stir them into action - not changed their lives. On occasion, they may bask in its glow or give verbal assent, but their quiet and quaint life has never been energized. The warrior is still hiding somewhere within them. Perhaps it is because the brilliant face of destiny has yet to be seen.

The most passionate battles are fought by those who have a personal stake in the outcome. It seems to me that if leaders could more carefully communicate the personal destiny awaiting every believer, if they would proclaim a quality of life far beyond present existence, it would cause God's army to grow more rapidly and live more passionately.

People should understand the vision we carry as leaders is not for us and our family. The journey is not about benefiting the leader, it has to do with a destination with every person's zip code and address attached. An inheritance not only on heavens side, but a destiny for each one of us living here in Canaan.

Buy A Sword

The conventional thinking about Christian leaders depicts them being quiet, passive, and certainly non-violent. The "turn the other cheek" and "give him your shirt also" passages stand as the benchmark for any minister of the gospel. But I wonder if we have forced the passive mentality of ministers a bit further than Jesus intended.

While we certainly should live in peace with all men to the best of our ability (Romans 12:18), Jesus recognized the need for a pragmatic relationship between ministry and efforts for peace. What prompted me to consider all this came as I was reading through the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. Luke records a conversation (Luke 22:26,37) wherein Jesus alerts the disciples that a totally new environment for ministry was about to commence.

In their previous ministry trips (the sending of the twelve and seventy) Jesus instructed them to take neither money or baggage. But the future would look quite different, and they would need to change their ways. Jesus clearly instructs the disciples to raise finances and organize their ministry trips. The most alarming part of this passage requires ministers to purchase swords (dagger might be a better translation) for protection. It appears that with Jesus' crucifixion and ascension the whole climate for ministry was about to change. A new mindset would be needed.

There isn't universal agreement on what Jesus was communicating here. We have only two options: the swords Jesus mentions are figurative, or Jesus literally saw swords as necessary for the disciples' future ministry trips. Regardless how we decide to interpret the passage, one thing is clear - times were about to change and the disciples were going to have to shift their ministry mentality. While walking with Jesus, He insured the disciples' personal safety, but in the future they would not have the same level of protection. If Jesus was killed, it would also be open season on those who preached in His name.

So, as the church goes forth into all the world, we need to recognize that logistical or political climates are constantly changing. What brought revival in the USA in the fifties may very well be inadequate today. What transformed an entire nation in Asia in the seventies may be impotent in awakening contemporary Europe. Some scenarios may require a minister to pack a weapon for protection, in other settings doing so could be catastrophic. These two verses raise the inevitable scenario all leaders face - a different world. We must be alert and aware of the times and seasons in our communities and nation. We should always be asking questions about how God is tuning the ear of a nation or people.

Let's be servants who rightly discern the seasons; be among those who wisely plan and walk out the call. Of one thing we can be sure... no matter the situation encountered, He will be with us always, even to the far reaches of the earth.

Entitlement vs. Accomplishment

Training a new employee involves a lot of hands on attention. All businesses have procedures and policies that guide what happens within their organization, and it's important that new employees catch hold of them early on. Workers will sometimes disregard existing procedures and attempt to impose their own. If left unchecked, confusion and chaos will cascade through the organization like flood waters.
.
One day Jesus took some time to highlight one of His kingdom's core values - humility. He was watching as banquet goers jockeyed for the more important positions at the table. They wanted everyone to recognized their greatness. The need for recognition motivated them to behave in ways detrimental to the kingdom He was building. What Jesus told the attendees was something like this, "Don't promote yourself. If you do, you'll only embarrass yourself." There is a better way.

.

He said, do this instead: "Don't seek a place at the head table, sit near the back of the room. Then, if those in charge recognize you as important, they will invite you to sit in the front. In that way, those in attendance will have the opportunity to properly honor you, and you won't risk embarrassing yourself."

.

The world is full of those convinced of their own importance. Go to any banquet and you'll find a head table filled with important people. The error is not with having a head table for important people, the problem could be with how those folks obtained or hold their seat. Is it a place earned or a position of entitlement? In the kingdom of God there are no places of entitlement... everyone is equal as persons. There are no categories defined by race, gender, finances, or social status. The greatest serves others and the servant becomes great.

.

Notice how greatness is gained -- by activity. If it is true that entitlement positions don't exist in the Kingdom of God, our level of greatness can be enhanced in only one way - as we serve others. Jesus was making it as simple as possible. But out of that simplicity comes the main point. Greatness comes through pursuing the mission, not status. Yes, our mission has everything to do with people, but it goes much further. Jesus' washing of the disciples feet had nothing to do with personal hygiene and everything to do with enabling them to become men who would change the world.

.

A lack of understanding about entitlement and service has filled Boardrooms with men and women lounging upon seats of entitlement - they may have once served others, but no longer. They may have once contributed to the mission, but they have lost their passion. Christian businesses or ministries that embrace entitlement over accomplishment have ignored the very fabric of what makes the Kingdom of God unique. It is sad to see how the entitlement mentality has hamstrung otherwise fine denominations and ministries.

.

If the church is going to turn the world upside down, we need to first allow the kingdom message to turn our own world around. On this one point concerning humility and service, Jesus' larger message must penetrate our understanding of what it means to become a servant, and how believers can righteously aspire to greatness in the Kingdom of God. We are in dire need of a few more great men! Luke 14:7-9