This morning I received an email from my mom telling me about how her car is in the shop and various stresses in ministry. My first thought was, you need to find someone to keep your arms up. It’s a reference from Exodus 17 when the Israelites are fighting the Amalekites. When Moses holds his arms up toward heaven, the Israelites are winning, but when he puts them down, they begin to lose. Eventually Moses becomes tired and can no longer hold up his arms—yet his friends do, until the war is finally won.
This blog raises the question for leaders in ministry, who is holding your arms up? We may be called to ministry and to be the leader of such a ministry, but we all know we cannot do it on our own. How willing are we to accept the assistance of others? And who are our “arm holders”? Who is fit and appropriate for such a job? Your spouse? Your mother? Your staff? Someone completely unconnected to your ministry?
The author gives three steps for finding “arm-holders” in our lives. First, she writes, “Take it to God.” Pray and ask for a divine reveal of these trusted friends. Second, we need to take risks in developing these deep relationships. Finally, she reminds us that this takes time. However, we know that our sustainability as a leader is dependent upon accepting the help of others. How willing are you to ask someone else to hold you up?
i got this
ReplyDeleteThere is a major problem with spiritual leaders today and that is establishing koinonia (fellowship) with people. As an act of leadership, every man or woman of God needs a Joshua, Timothy, or Barnabas to come along side them in ministry. Paul greeted Timothy as his "true child in the faith" (1Tm. 1:2) indicating a spiritual father-son relationship between Paul and Timothy, and suggesting that Timothy was a relatively young man. Moses was mightily used of God. He was the "greatest prophet to arise in all of Israel." However, he knew that God's work would go on long after he was gone. In all probability, he kept his eye out for a young man with a heart for God who was capable of leading the children of Israel. He found that man in Joshua. Friendships are sometimes difficult. They can be threatened by disagreements and hurt feelings. Paul and Barnabas were close friends and co-workers empowered by God’s Spirit. Nonetheless, after many years they would come to a crisis that would threaten to blow their friendship apart. Paul and Barnabas might have had a falling out, but they were both teleios (mature) Christ followers. They understood that in Christ our friendships must transcend transient disputes and hurt feelings.
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