Has God put something on your heart? Has He given you a
passion to Make A Difference? Last week I encouraged us to all let the Word of
God transform us into a people ready to Make A Difference… and it would have
been easy to think I was simply talking about the giving program we are
starting with InBounds; yet it is so much more than that. Giving is absolutely
important, (coming from the guy that directs a ministry totally dependent upon the
giving of God’s people), but doing is important as well. We need to be active in
the “game”! I have said it often throughout the years of these devotions: God doesn’t
want benchwarmers!
But let’s be realistic here. Finances, time, potential persecution
or ridicule, etc. all lead to fear of activity. Yet don’t let fear stop
you!!!!!!!
Today I am going to try to give a little “locker room
leadership.” Within the safety of our little internet huddle I want to
encourage you to be all that God intends for you to be; to do all that God
intends for you to do; to go where God intends for you to go…
I’ll confess to fears and stress as we continue down our
faith-road in ministry. I’ll admit that sometimes I consider quitting. I realize
that the road we are on is not the road of the American Dream…
Yet the reality is that we are in the game and seeing
lives changed! We are pressing forward and facing the enemy! To some this may
sound like I am bragging about this; but believe me I am not! I am admitting to
my weakness; yet also wanting to give an answer as to why we go on…
As I was reading Nehemiah this morning I was reminded
that even Nehemiah was afraid (in fact chapter 2 verse 2 said he became “dreadfully
afraid”), yet he followed through with the game plan. He had heard of his
people’s fate and a passion was birthed in him to Go MAD (Make A Difference.) He
took it to the Lord and asked for the Lord’s blessing on his endeavor… and then
he got busy.
As I read further in the account I saw that Nehemiah
faced many obstacles (finances, resources, the enemy, etc.) How about you? Are you
facing any struggles today? Is life full of stressors for you like they are for
me? Is the enemy trying to slow you down or keep you down from acting upon the
passion God has given you? It is time to rise up! Nehemiah records that the people
got to a point where they “had a mind to work” (4:6), in spite of the looming
dangers and obstacles. The enemy was
pressing in on every side, determined to stop their progress. Nehemiah and his
people prayed and then Nehemiah delivers a message to his people that would
ring well in any locker room (or battlefield for that matter):
4:14And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles,
to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them.
Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons,
your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”
Nehemiah admitted his fears yet kept moving forward –
stayed active in “the game” – facing the obstacles and adversaries. He led by example, not based upon his strength
but on that of the Lord. He rallied his “team” (people.) He had all the
attributes of a great locker room leader!
I long to be like Nehemiah and stay the course! I want to
move forward by the strength of the Lord! So I write to you this day to “remember
the Lord, great and awesome”, and Go MAD!
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