Sometimes in life, as leaders, we need to do what we teach our children in fire drill: STOP, DROP, and ROLL!
STOP – A fervent command from the Lord, that a season of life and ministry has ended. We need to immediately STOP what we think we need to be doing. If like Elijah, the brook has dried up, the only way to live is not to try and call the ravens back, we need another word from God. Mt 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
DROP – Be willing to drop whatever business, schedule, appointment, committment, or even fuzzy vision that we are seeking to implement. This may be hard on certain relationships, but it is always better to please God than man. True friends will understand, but with fresh vision, can come fresh relationships. Allow Holy Spirit to sift close relationships and schedules. Only pick up, that which He clearly directs.
Roll – Be flexible. He is doing a new thing, and you cannot put new wine in an old wineskin. The greatest opponents of fresh moves of the Holy Spirit, have often been stalwart bastions of faith, that lived through a previous move of God. Don’t become dogmatic in methods, or legalistic in way. Truth will endure, but traditions and methods can go. Let them go!
Ac 6:2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
There are seasons of business (busy-ness) in ministry, but our primary responsibility as leaders, is to the Word of God and prayer. It is only when we slow down, wholly committed to obey whatever He says, daily, that He can truly promote and use us. Much more needs to be said here, but the Word of the Lord to me, is “STOP!” I am now spending required hours in prayer and the Word, a very difficult thing for an action oriented guy like me!
Ac 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
God is doing new thing in my life, and the life of many ministries, today. I am so hungry for His life, freshness, anointing, power, and goodness to manifest. I honestly want to obey Him in spirit and in truth, yet He will always confirm truth, in the Word of God.
2Co 11:28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
The challenge is always to fulfill natural responsibilities, (children need tending to, business requires work, ministry requires work)
Heb 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
So, here is the eternal challenge, as we grow in Him. We are seeking Him, listening, endeavoring to hear and obey, and change, to become more like Jesus in thought and deed, yet we must continue to feed the flock among us, and to exhort, encourage, and uplift those He has called us to lead and serve.
Zec 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.
Yes, we are being changed from glory to glory, now let’s roll with Jesus today!
Let’s Pray:
‘Father, my life is in Your hands. Give me grace to know, embrace, and to pursue Your high calling upon my life, and to accept the changes Your new seasons bring to me today. In Your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen’