Setting Ourselves Aside For Service

Yesterday afternoon, through to early this morning, I had a few different ideas for today's post. Oddly enough, nothing settled in my spirit, until I logged in and got ready to type... as if being prepared to start typing was the first step in actually doing so.

Here's your Thursday green stamp bonus:​

You can't start moving forward until you first arrive at the starting point.

Looking at my a blank canvas, my mind recalled one of the scenes from my favorite political drama. The set-up to this conversation is awesome, but we come to the point where the chief of staff is attempting to hire a lawyer for the counsel's offce, who is a member of the political party opposite of the administration. In the final attempts to convince the lawyer, the chief of staff final says, "the President likes smart people who disagree with him."

The next episode, that same lawyer is asked by her boss, the head counsel, why she is there. In response, she's asks if it is so difficult to believe that someone would set aside their political blinders and say "what can I do?" Comically, the head counsel says in a drawn-out, dramatic fashion, "Yessss".

I laughing just playing that scene in my head.

I know... you've got other things to do and other blogs to read. You have to go work soon... and so do I for that matter; so what's the point.

It's easy to surround yourself with like-minded people. Close friends, advisors, counselors... people who will have your backs (a line the head counsel uses on the new lawyer, by the way, in his attempts to understand why she would join the team). The challenge comes in bringing on board, the critics; those with a different perspective, experience and outlook.. people whose first reaction and first response will be different on many levels and for many reasons. But good comes from such conversations.

I'm drawing a blank on the administration or the general who drew up plans and strategies to win the war; yet his first "hey, what do you think about this" was to his critics; those who sharply disagreed with him on nearly everything. They would point out weaknesses, causing a "back to the drawing board" moment. Such conversations led to better strategies and winning battle plans.

It's great to have advisors who are on board; who catch and support the vision cast by pastors, for ministry and opportunities, both inside the church and outside the four walls of the church. Equally necessary, I submit, are having people around you who can be useful to point out weaknesses and areas of concern that need reevaluation and reconsideration, in order that improvements and advancements can be made. It's a difficult balance, granted; but perhaps more needed than we care to admit.

So, pray with me, this #deaconThursday, that church leadership would be a great conversation. Pray for grand vision and casting, for goals and dreams for ministry that would achieve incredible results for the kingdom of God. Pray God grant wisdom and discern; that pastors and advisors would move forward with unity and singularity of purpose. May their be a level of grace and understanding as they walk through disagreements and work through differences; that while everything may not be resolved to everyone's desired outcomes or liking's, ministry efforts would not be hindered or halted. Pray for a covering of clarity over these boards and administrations; that confusion would not run wild; that personal agendas would not stand in the way; nor personalities dominate the conversation. In all matters, may their be an understanding of service and submission and to respond appropriately as the ministry advances.

May God be glorified
As we acknowledge Him in all our ways
Commit all our plans unto Him
Trusting that He will continue to lead and guide us in all Truth.
For the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC