Friday, February 24, 2012

The Bible versus the Six o'clock News

I was thinking the other day about the idea of leadership both in the Public arena and church. Us Christians are a weird group on this subject. On a given Sunday morning I can go to church and hear men pray for GOD to send good leaders to guide our nation and our churches.

When Obama was elected prayers went up all over the country asking God to help him be a good leader. Then we all watch the six o'clock news! Fox News says, "This guy can't lead. This is a big mistake. We are doomed." So we think: "Did we make a big mistake?" which interrupted means: "Did GOD make a mistake? or Did GOD not care that our boat is sinking?"

In the Bible GOD gave the people the "King" that they asked for and when that didn't work out he selected David as the replacement. David's problem was that GOD did not remove Saul. And David wouldn't either! He said, "Who I am to get rid of GOD's anointed?" and then basically said if GOD wants him removed, HE will do it."

We also pray for leaders and ministers at church. We pray that he will bring us someone to be HIS servant. When he gets here, we question whether he will serve us as we are accustomed.
God's Man at arrival but we listen to the six o'clock news. Good leaders after all are hard to find AND TRAIN. GOD finds them and we grade them.

Funny thing about the Bible stories: God's people don't like to follow GOD or his leaders. That story runs all the way through the Old and New Testaments. When the prophet Samuel tells GOD: The people want a King like the other nations have and said they have rejected me. GOD responds, "No, they have rejected me!"

The church version of the 6 o'clock news is this: We go to another church as a visitor or read a book about another ministry and we think, "We need a leader like that. He has vision. He is a good speaker and he even thinks like I do! I wish he was our KING!" Our guy isn't very good.

What the Bible says to us over and over is that we don't need better leaders WE NEED BETTER FOLLOWERS! Image what ANY leader could do if every follower got on board! Great followers make good leaders.

What God could do with a "Valley of Dry Bones" if the person sent to speak to them had Listeners!

Genesis 11: 6 The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them." (UNLESS THEY WATCH THE SIX O'CLOCK NEWS)

1 comment:

Holly said...

I think it's interesting that I can't remember a time since Obama was elected that anyone has publically prayed for him in our church services. I do remember Bush being prayed for on several occasions during his 8 year tenure as POTUS. That has bothered me, well, for 3.5 years! I'd remedy that directly, but unfortunately lack the necessary equipment to do so. Good observations and blog as always, friend.