Coffee With The Lord

During “coffee with the Lord” today I read a wonderful passage from God’s word – a passage that addresses leadership and styles of leadership – 1 Peter 5.1-5.

“And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches… As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly – not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor… And all of you… serve each other in humility, for “God opposes the proud but favors the humble.” (New Living Translation)

My doctorate is in leadership. I CAN TELL YOU THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF LEADERS AND LEADERSHIP STYLES… Transactional, autocratic, bureaucratic, charismatic, democratic-participative, laissez-faire, task-oriented, people/relations-oriented, transformational and servant-leadership! And the list could go on…

THIS PASSAGE HOWEVER, APPEALS FOR A “JESUS-STYLE” OF LEADERSHIP – THE STYLE OF “THE GREAT SHEPHERD.” Jesus said…

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me… I sacrifice my life for the sheep.” (John 10:11-15 NLT)

Just a balancing perspective on worship today…

I am aware that some worshippers almost prioritize “noise” and “volume” in worship. I’ve heard them argue, “Hey if you’re offended by noise get over it! In heaven, at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb there’s going to be plenty of noise expressed in worship (check out Revelation 19:6-8)!” And there are other passages where the presence and power of God are connected with heightened decibels (Revelation 4:5-6 in the heavenly throne room and in Isaiah 6:1-6 when the Living God revealed Himself to Isaiah).

Having acknowledged that, and having personally experienced God’s power and presence in powerful music and praise, I’d like to suggest it isn’t always that way. In fact, God often reveals Himself in profound silence and stillness… Just ask Elijah, the prophet, who experienced “a great and strong wind that tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind, an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.” (1 Kings 19:11-12) And believe me, check it out – God was in the “whisper!”

So in my Bible reading this morning during “Coffee with the Lord” I was challenged cautioned and encouraged by the writer of Ecclesiastes and his observations…

“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools… be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you on earth. Therefore, let your words be few… a fool’s voice comes with many words!” (From Ecclesiastes 5:1-3 ESV)

Wise advice I think! There is an important place for quiet and silence in God’s presence! Let me tell you some of the most profound awareness of God’s presence and power in my life have come in times of silence in God’s presence! And “me thinks” in prayer we would be well served to do less compulsive talking and more quiet listening for God’s voice deep within!

I’m reminded this morning of the rich variety that makes up the “body of Christ” – the Church!  Mechanics, educators, people with a flair for the artistic, financial gurus, bus drivers, people who are great with children, capable organizers, wordsmiths, technology experts, farmers, hospitality specialists, athletes, studious individuals, visionaries, detail oriented people, systems analysts… the list could go on and on and on…

This is what I read from the Bible this morning that prompted this reflection… “God has given EACH OF YOU A GIFT from His great variety of spiritual gifts. USE THEM WELL TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER… then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 4.10-11 NLT)

IT TAKES ALL OF US TO ADEQUATELY REPRESENT JESUS CHRIST IN OUR WORLD WITHOUT DISTORTION IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! (1 Corinthians 12)  One of the words used in 1 Peter 4.10-11 to describe the rich variety within the church was also used in ancient culture to describe a beautiful tapestry.  Picture it… when each of us use our gifts for His glory and the common good we become a powerful, accurate, representation of our Lord and Savior to others!  None of us in isolation is sufficient for that task.  Working together in the power of the Holy Spirit we can help our world see what Jesus is really like!

I want to do my part!!  Don’t you?  I need you – you need me – we need each other!!  We can do this with God’s help!!