Day 74 "What you see as truth is often just your imagination."

Day 74

Matthew 9:14-17 Then the disciples of John came to Him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but Your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and the tear is made worse. Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins will break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."

Jesus is the new covenant. His goal was to show the people the new way to salvation, a new way of living, to open the doors for all men to receive Him as savior; not just the Jews. John, however, was here to prepare the way for the new message by speaking to the keepers of the law, or the former covenant; therefore, their ways were completely different. John had a very distinct purpose, one very different from that of Jesus, even though the disciples of each were obviously confused. You see, the two leaders knew their purpose for it had been revealed to them. The helpers or disciples, however, only knew a part of the plan. It appears that the answer from Jesus was enough to satisfy the curiosity of John's followers, and they asked of this no more. This speaks well of them.

However, all too often in ministry this is not the case, and for whatever reason followers get confused, frustrated, and sometimes fail to follow well, causing the purpose of the ministry to be left unfulfilled. We leaders must lead with respect and use all of the tools at our disposal to communicate clearly the vision and direction we believe God has given us. By our very nature we are more apt to lead by action or example because we are doers, and doers can be difficult to follow, even though non-doers have no reason to be followed. For the disciples or followers and servants in a ministry, they must know that God has called them to follow and serve in this particular realm, and they must know that based upon what God has told them, not man. Men will fail in many ways; after all, we are people before we are leaders, fleshly beings prone to the same temptations, trials, and insecurities as other men. And even though we are held to a higher call and judgment, the attack upon us is generally more intense than it is on the disciples or followers. After all, if you take out the leader, you can take more with you.

In my office I have a red, white, and blue basketball, and each color is separated by a black line. On one side of the ball I have added a green stripe, which I keep hidden and pointed only at me. When people begin to question the leadership of others, I ask them to look at the ball and tell me how many colors there are on the ball. I have never had anyone get up and look at my side. Everyone assumes that they see all of the colors and that both sides of the ball are exactly alike. However, they are not. No matter how much we see or think we know, chances are we don’t have a clue to everything that is going on, no matter how convincing our argument. You see, leaders must see the entire picture; they must know what is on the back side of the ball, and followers and co-laborers must trust their leadership. If you are unable to trust your leaders, ask yourself why. Meet with them and have them explain their style and answer your questions. If, after doing so, you still feel insecure or unable to submit, then perhaps you now need to seek a leader you can respect.

Daily Prayer: Father, I ask that you would give me the ability to serve based upon your call and not upon the circumstances. Help me to know when to ask questions and when to be silent. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

"What you see as truth is often just your imagination."

Pastor Gene Burroughs