In a vision the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, has (Isaiah 6:8), God asks who He should send as a prophet to His people. Isaiah immediately responds in two sentences and five total words, “Here am I. Send me!” Have you ever said, “Here am I, send me” to God or have you hesitated, knowing He just might take you up on it? When I was a parent of younger children and asked who was available for a job, my kids would tend to make themselves scarce quickly. That reaction to a voice of authority is not uncommon.
However, leaders, like Isaiah, do not wait to see if anyone else is going to step up when something needs to be done. Leaders initiate, take initiative. They are raising their hands and are not hesitant to stand and speak up. Leaders make decisions to lead and are willing to take the jump at short notice. Leaders obey God and know when to step aside and leaders obey God and know when to step in.
True Holy Spirit led leaders also know they are not capable within themselves to lead, they walk in a Holy sense of inadequacy. At the same time, leaders who know the voice of the Spirit, walk in a confidence that their adequacy is from the Lord only.
I have been a leader for a long time. I’ve wanted to be a leader and have been committed to growing my leadership skills. I have never been a perfect leader, but often felt like a mistake- ridden one. It goes with the territory. But when you as a leader respond to God with, “Here am I. Send me,” God knows He’s not getting a perfect leader, but rather a leader He is perfecting.
Leaders need grace like everyone does, especially when making a mistake. There is no perfect leader, only leaders our Father is perfecting.
My wife cries. My eyes sweat. There is a difference!
There is a truth revealed concerning child rearing in I Samuel chapter eight in the Old Testament. Samuel was growing quite old so he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. “But his sons did not walk in his ways. They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.” (I Samuel 8:3) It was after this that Israel desired a king rather than being ruled by a judge.
Recently my wife and I had the privilege of spending a weekend with some young married couples on a retreat. Amidst our time together, we desired to ask them a question. That question went something like this: If you were given the chance to share with a younger couple just entering into marriage, what advice would you pass on to them? What follows is some of the excellent input we were given.
Marriage, being God’s design from the beginning, is an amazingly creative design. Every time I am on an airplane sitting shoulder to shoulder with a stranger, I wish it were my wife. It’s just so odd to be that physically close to someone you do not know and have never met. Marriage is as close and intimate as an earthly relationship can become. And the fact of the matter is, over time, it becomes even closer.
Whenever we have a first-time visitor to our home, given the chance, we tell them a story. I’ll tell you that story too.
With the commitment of a very dear friend, he and I built that house from foundation up, nailing every stud, pulling every wire, plumbing and painting. Now almost 32 years ago, we still tell the story. We can’t stop telling the story because it’s the house that God built.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.
On a recent prayer time away from my office, I carried John Wesley’s 21 accountability questions with me. I have gone through these numerous times and really enjoy doing so. I thought that if you were not familiar with them, you just might like to consider a look as well. On that note, here they are:
In 2018 I was able to enjoy several children’s dedication services. One was my grandson. That was special.
Benjamin’s faith followed him in all he set out to accomplish. Perhaps it was his father’s dedicating him to the service of the Lord that helped to hold him to that relationship. With the many trials and tribulations, losses and shattered dreams he encountered, late in the book he wrote, “I at present think that whoever attempts this aright, and is well qualified, can not fail of pleasing God, and of meeting with success.”
I was speaking with a friend recently about a specific governmental department that I obviously did not have a good word for. Later in a text message, I apologized for my negative expressions. And here’s the reason for my apology: Holy Spirit.
Steve Prokopchak 