19 - THE COST OF LEADING

1 Thessalonians 2v2b

2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.

It will probably always be a shock and surprise to us when people seem to resent genuine, consistent, unconditional love and care.  It’s really quite amazing how people almost seem to take offense at kindness.  And then there was that brother who was having a particularly victorious week, who asked a tad self-righteously, “If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would they have enough evidence to convict you?”  We should refuse to be drawn on that one!  

In truth, very few of us can claim to have ever really suffered for ‘being a Christian’ – our own imperfections normally feature in any ill treatment we might experience (or deserve).  The stream of opposition comes from the entire world system and in the midst of everything in life around us screaming that we are entitled to our choice, and should accumulate my stuff, and should look after No. 1, and live for pleasure for today only, yada, yada. We have all been there and may still be ‘there’ struggling with living in and straddling two different worlds.  We may find we need to draw a line in the sand and accept that some of it is going to be kicked into our face by the Bully World.  Sand happens!  

But by the truly abundant, persistent grace of God we can not only ‘dare’ to honor Him by our actions, but may even in the midst of the struggle find the opportunity to speak the Gospel as well … even when the listener may not even be aware they are listening ‘thirstily’ with their hearts.

PRAYER ACTION

Lord, I know (or at least I’ve heard it said) that it’s ‘more important to be loving than to be right’.  Hmmmm, in my job I need to be right, whether some people like it (or they love me back) or not - or I’ll lose my job!  Show me how to live and work in my job and be ‘in this world’ but not part ‘of the world’. 

Show me how to stand tall on my knees and then get off my knees and stand for truth.

“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.” 

(Douglas MacArthur)