Coffee With The Lord

I’ve been around long enough that I’m a bit wary of my “good intentions.”   I can recall times that I’ve been to an exciting and inspiring church service where I’ve been challenged to “make a commitment” and I’ve done it!! – made all kinds of “promises to God” in the emotional surge of the moment – only to discover delivering on those promises is more difficult than making them.  Shamefully, I admit to having some of the same spiritual challenges that Simon Peter did in the Bible! 

After the moving experience of the Lord ’s Supper, Jesus predicted “You will all fall away!”  This really bothered Peter and he strongly declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not!”  Jesus responded (knowing Peter), “Truly, I tell you, today – yes tonight – before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”  The Bible says at that point Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will NEVER disown you!” 

But in Gethsemane, when Jesus needed prayer support the most, Peter failed…  Jesus admitted, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow – to the point of death!  Stay here and keep watch” (in other words “stay awake and alert – support me in prayer!”)  But Peter slept.  The Bible says, “Jesus returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Simon,” He said to Peter, ‘are you asleep?  Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour?  Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation!  THE SPIRIT IS WILLING, BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK!’”

Peter failed!  Peter did precisely what Jesus had predicted!

Tragically, the pathway of discipleship is all too often littered with the stuff of “good intentions!” … mine included!!  I need several things, it seems to me, as I reflect on Peter and my own failures this morning…

1) I need to be more careful and thoughtful before I “pop off with my mouth” saying I’ll do something. 

2) I need the inner strengthening and support that prayer brings – I need to pray more. 

3)  I need the Lord’s forgiveness for all the times I’ve made promises and haven’t kept them! And finally,

4) I need the continual empowering of the Holy Spirit (Peter certainly did… Thank God for Pentecost!!)

(Quotations from Mark 14 NIV)   

A periodic Bartel leadership tip from my time of “coffee with the Lord”…

I think we’ve all seen individuals that let a little authority and power go to their head.  They “throw around their weight,” they’re demanding, dictatorial , abusive and threatened by anyone who has another opinion.  Tragically there are some of these kinds of leaders in Christian service!  There is nothing “Christ-like” about the way they lead others!  As spiritual shepherds go, they drive sheep – they don’t lead them.

But there’s also the opposite extreme… The leader who avoids confrontation at all costs – the person who finds a place to hide when there is an issue to be dealt with – the “shepherd” who really wishes someone in the “flock” would take over.  I know a few of these… If you ever looked up the term “laissez faire” as a leadership term in the dictionary, there picture would probably be there.  They are directionless, convictionless, valueless, and spineless.  Those who seek to follow them have no idea where they are headed, what the vision is, or what values they stand for – it’s frustrating!  They abuse by neglect.

I read a passage in the Bible today, penned by apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit that speaks clearly to this leadership issue (in fact, it’s found twice in 2 Corinthians – an epistle where Paul’s authority was being seriously challenged).  I think these verses provide an understanding of leadership and the use of authority that served as a core guiding principle for apostle Paul (and I want it to guide me)…

“If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do!  So even if I boast somewhat freely about THE AUTHORITY THE LORD GAVE US FOR BUILDING YOU UP RATHER THAN TEARING YOU DOWN, I will not be ashamed of it.” (2 Corinthians 10:7-8 NIV)

“This is why I write these things when I am absent, so that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority – THE AUTHORITY THE LORD GAVE ME FOR BUILDING YOU UP, NOT FOR TEARING YOU DOWN.” (2 Corinthians 13.10 NIV)

So how can a leader avoid the two extremes I’ve presented?  How can I keep the “authority automobile” on the road and not in either ditch…  I’ve come up with a little phrase that personally helps me in that regard; here it is… AS A LEADER I NEED TO BE “STEEL UNDER VELVET” – using authority to build others up, not tearing them down.  Think I need to go out and find more “velvet” … and sometimes more “steel”!

I have friends who are very careful about their investments.  They watch the market like a hawk.  They get up in the morning (and even before they pick up their Bible) they check the market.  They have instant notification apps on their cell phone to notify them of changes during the day.  Last thing before they go to bed at night, they check the international markets.  They’re upbeat and almost giddy if things go well – quiet and dour if it was a bad day in the markets.

I’ve got a little invested … a paltry sum by most standards.  I’m grateful that I’m interested, but not obsessed.  I have to admit, however, I’m VERY interested in the investments I’ve made in the Kingdom of God!!  Was reminded of that as I read the following passage this morning…

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And GOD IS ABLE TO BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY, SO THAT IN ALL THINGS AT ALL TIMES, HAVING ALL THAT YOU NEED, YOU WILL ABOUND IN EVERY GOOD WORK.  As it is written: ‘They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.’  Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.  This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God…  And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.  Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!  (From 2 Corinthians 9:6–15 NIV)

Now, I’ve just got to say, the dividends on those investments are “out of this world” – I didn’t even have to provide the funds to do it – God is the one that really provided them!!  On top of that, I am rewarded!!  The return on investment is God’s cause furthered, more resources to share, thanksgiving and praise to God for His provision, and people actually praying that God will meet MY needs!  But it all begins when I amchallenged to follow THE EXAMPLE OF GOD FOR HIS INCREDIBLE GIFT – THE GIFT OF HIS SON! 

Think I’ll go check on my investments!!