In the life of any leader comes battles of discouragement, fears, comparison, and loneliness? Loneliness in my opinion is a one of the toughest battlefronts because it is at these times we seem to think we are walking alone, no one cares and maybe we should give up. Maybe someone can do this better then us and so on. This can be a common experience with church planting leaders. But really….really?
Such was the leadership experience of the prophet Jeremiah and many of us. In Jeremiah 20:8-10 we see this played out in the midst of some of tough ministry assignments. Ever been there?
8 For each time I speak, I cry aloud;
I proclaim violence and destruction,
because for me the word of the LORD has resulted
In reproach and derision all day long.
9 But if I say, “I will not remember Him
Or speak anymore in His name,”
Then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire
Shut up in my bones;
And I am weary of holding it in,
And I cannot endure it.
10 For I have heard the whispering of many,
“Terror on every side!
Denounce him; yes, let us denounce him!”
All my trusted friends,
watching for my fall, say:
“Perhaps he will be deceived, so that we may prevail against him
And take our revenge on him.”
You see with loneliness comes fear and discouragement. How about the anger and disillusionment in his experience? Loneliness for the leader is like a three-edged sword, if there was such a thing. Needless to say it cuts the heart, thrashes emotions and stops our ministry engine from running. It would be a like a boat “dead in the water” with no power. The power is there but we would be unable (or think) to get the motor started.
Listen to Jeremiah’s heart here …..I am weary….I cannot endure this….I have heard the….many, friends, perceptions, and deceivers. Ever wrestle? Can you relate?
When it comes to fighting loneliness there are three realizations that enable us to begin to refocus to stop believing the lies. These realizations are call, character and our competencies. I will address character and competencies in the next brog’s (blogs for those not into my humor, lol!).
When I speak of call, the Word of God, it is the source for all answers, being confirmed by God’s Spirit. Jeremiah 1:5-7 provides insights into the God’s call to be a prophet to people who do and will not listen. Wow, that’s a heavy assignment! None of us should be serving anywhere without an awareness of God’s call on our life. Jeremiah is reminded of this by our Heavenly Father.
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
And before you were born I consecrated you;
I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
6 Then I said, “Alas, Lord [a]GOD!
Behold, I do not know how to speak,
Because I am a youth.”
7 But the LORD said to me,
“Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’
Because everywhere I send you, you shall go,
And all that I command you, you shall speak.”
What do see and hear the Holy Spirit revealing?
Can you see Jeremiah’s excuses, why me???
But...what does this text tell us about God’s involvement in our calling?
So how do you see God the Father handling Jeremiah? You see leadership isn’t so much about duty as it is about dependence. It isn’t so much about our strength as it is humility, and obedience rather then excuses. There alone, in His presence will we find comfort, strength and empowerment. So are you called? Have you reviewed that calling and the confirmation of the Spirit’s guidance and the Scriptures? What does God want to say to you today?
Jesus said it so well in John 14:15. “If you love Me, you will obey My commandments.” Go, speak, serve, God is going before those called and He will be glorified!
[some of my thoughts that got me started came from a David Jeremiah devotional I heard on the radio]
"Lonely" Some rights reserved by pietrozuco
Posted on Nov 01, 2011