" not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
I've been reminded by so many news threads over the last week exemplifying lawless leadership that we live in an age where strong self will is not only honoured but idolised and promoted. The pervading vibe is to arouse in yourself a strong motivation that you can achieve... be the best you it is possible to be... manifest things into being. Such a core driver for priorities, activity, and ambition has nothing to do with being a creature of creation, and has everything to do with being the boss, "owning the world" and governing destiny.
This shouldn't be a shock to us, as it's the only option open to those who reject the Lordship of a loving, all powerful creator and redeemer. What is more alarming however is (in what I perceive to be a growing trend) the evidence that this culture is fully active and has stealthily invaded those who say they are doing the work of God. Is it not impossible to parade ourselves as authentic servants of God's purposes if we are being driven by or own will and self driven mentality superimposed onto everything we are about? Is this not sin? How can those who say they live in the power of The Spirit of God spend so much of their time and energy trying to make things happen in the Spiritual realm, from a foundation of individualism and self ambition? The two worlds are incongruously distinct. Either we are under him or in rebellion. Either we are living in His power and strength as we follow his lead and timing, or we are attempting a manufactured fruiftulness in our own strength. However, doing and prioritising His will in the church and mission is not as easy as it may sound. In reality, it may actually be hugely countercultural in some contexts even amongst those who call themselves "believers" .
There is no overlap, there is no coexistence between what man generates and what God generates in His kingdom. We either sow in His kingdom, or this world. The reaping will correlate directly. We are by grace included in His glorious work, we do not include his regeneration and kingdom plan/ work into our ways. 1 Cor 3:9 reminds us that the building and management are still God's, not ours. We do not manage Him or anything of His. We cannot listen to two architects and build well, serve two masters. (Hebrews 11:10, Matthew 6:24).
What does this mean?
1. Kingdom advance/success does not depend on our brilliant planning and preparation, but on whether it is what God has commanded. Is he in it ?
Has he called and chosen you to prioritise what you are so passionate about?
For many churches and "christian" organisations it seems the vogue ambition is to populate the top table with brilliant planners, strategic thinkers and administrators. The vetting for such roles and tasks often relies much more on human gifting than sanctified track record of living close to God and sacrificially / humbly going anywhere / doing anything at his command. Spiritual gifting is so much more than a certificate in management. I'm so grateful for those around me who have the combination of both. The Spiritual gift of administration as outlined in the bible is an altogether different God-driven, gospel driven gift to bless and serve the mission of God not an earthly construct. When God marks his people for fruitful service, they are invariably tested to lay aside all other securities and intuition for self-support (Luke 9:33). In contemporary terms, this challenges our thoughts / prevailing passions about career progression, dreams and plans, finding our identity in what we are good at. It is countercultural to being "the best me I can be" for myself. God blesses those with the gift of administration who lay that gift at His feet for His purposes in His way.
All of those administrative and management giftings can be God-given and God-blessed, but what drives such is key. The gift of administration in ACTS 6 (1 Cor 12:28, Romans 12:8) is a servant not a master to Christ and His church. It is a component of a bigger team, not the only characteristic of and effective flavour of leadership. I'm profoundly grieved that in some contexts of unreached ministry, the reputation of the gospel has been so damaged by the mission of man not God. Sadly also there is no shortage of "well run" churches that have Godly people asking about why the dynamic presence of God is so allusive, about what has happened to His mission to those who don't know Him, and why other things (often money and buildings) are always the priority.
Give me a small group of believers simply "sold out" to the purposes of Christ and listening to Him in holiness, intimacy and obedience any day. I've had the privilege of seeing the simple dynamics and beauty of God at work amongst the unreached without the over organisational barrier of man's meddling. When God choses to work, he doesn't need us, He includes us by grace... much of the Christian culture we witness would do well to note this. The Godly instinct in such an environment is "Lord please help me not to mess up what you are doing", not "how can we make something happen". In reality, there is a world of difference between a dynamic run by man posing to do God's work and the authentic work of God which man serves. We are wise to discern the difference, however similar things appear on the surface. I am so grateful for Godly close friends who have dedicated their lives and gifts to serve in this way. I pray that this attitude would be more prevalent throughout the Western world at this time.
2. Listen to the Lord's direction, not your own. In some biblical and contemporary missional dynamics, God may disclose to an individual a calling which is countercultural, not yet recognised by others. Maybe it is yet to progress with the involvement of others (what some might call an "apostolic" or pioneering dynamic) and therefore appears individualistic, but is actually 100% obedient to the will of God. Abraham (the prototype missional calling to the unknown), Jonah and others were commissioned without a mission board interview. It is wrong, therefore, to say that all lone workers are mavericks of individualism and only intent on disruption. The LORD is the ultimate disrupter by His grace, doing things that our world so desperately needs as he calls individuals, uniquely to serve, uniquely called. Some (I can think of many) lone or isolated mission workers, evangelists, pastors, relational and kingdom influencers may, in fact, be simply being obedient to the calling of a God whose heart sees many forgotten by the overly simplistic or self-serving plans of man. They may not even have a job title, but they know they are called of God to obey and be faithful to that call. They may not be affirmed, rewarded, encouraged, or even acknowledged by those who themselves may only have a kingdom mentality limited to and focused on their own domain, calling, gifting, influence, systemisation or sphere.
Having said that, in general, it is more usual that this does not stay or remain the case. Those who follow the will of God (however much on their own) soon discover that God has ordained others to hear the same call to the unreached also. So many times, those who have heard the voice of God to go have met those who prayed to such a God for more workers to the harvest they had already been called to. Such a dynamic is not individualism or self-centred, it is Christ-honouring and 100% reliant on Him, His direction, His enabling, His will, His blessing. Over time, this becomes more apparent. It can be a lonely place to take the first step in faith, but if it is of God, it is not lonely for long. Others looking to be faithful, living under the same God, by His word, the prompting of His Spirit, will also hear the same call, with all their ordained complementary spiritual gifting and character.
When we follow His way, however scary and lonely it may be, He will always provide the way forward. Those who follow His plans are never fools or made a fool of by Him. He will provide the appropriate gifts, affirmation, and resources in His own time if you are doing what He wills, His way, and by His direction for His glory.
Lord help us to repent of humanistic methods and instincts, especially when they cloak our sin in pseudo spirituality. Help us not in impatience to try to "make things happen" on our own terms (however well-meaning and missional we think it may be). Help us to see your grace at work in enabling us to listen to your voice, and help us to retrace our steps where we need to, intent on following you and your will alone. Give us the long-suffering, diligence, patience and obedience that imitate Christ. Help us find the right balance between pushing ahead on what you have commanded us to do, and waiting for you in the things that you do not have for us, or the timing is not yet. Ultimately, may our lives not be wasteful on human endeavour but acceptable worship in your purposes. Lord, live in us, and through us. Thank you for your grace and inclusion of us in any of these things, which displays a mystery and wideness of love and goodness we adore you for.
In summary, our calling is to live in the joy and growing intimacy of Jesus. When we are preoccupied with Him and not ourselves we hear His voice. His Spirit (who he has left to accomplish the task, His task) is our leader. The Paraclete (παράκλητος) who came as the divine incarnate has also gifted us with all that He is, to direct every dimension of our lives and being, We need no more.
John 14:16
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,
to be with you forever"
To our God be the glory
To our God be praise
He alone, the name above all names
I will boast ever only in the Lord my God
For I know His glory is my good
That Christ would be made more
Would I seek the only kingdom
That far outweighs them all
I will stand before my Father
Where the faithful saints have stood
And with joy my heart shall praise Him
For His glory and my good
And with joy my heart shall praise Him
For His glory and my good
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