(Time to finish the post that's been sitting in my draft box for a couple weeks...better late than never!)
"For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14
Over the past couple months, there have been several new "soul stirrings"...things that don't make sense but I know are part of something larger, something God wants to do but isn't yet named.
As the Presidential election came to a conclusion last night and while reading many insights from trusted Christian leaders, it brought together some of the hesitations and fears I've had about accepting a new ministry role in May with a time commitment that lasts the same length of this Presidency!
One of my fleshly hesitations has been what happens if I'm in this role and the world literally falls apart? Will I be able to keep it together personally in order to be a calming force, a leader that doesn't wimp out when life gets tough? Will I be able to hang in there and encourage other women going through the same things or will I quickly retreat in fear? Will I know my God enough and trust Him enough to continually point others to Him no matter what may unfold in this world? Will my life be filled with this unquenchable joy that speaks only of God in the midst of chaos? Then, I have to stop as I realize that I can't do this and who am I to even think I could do this? Am I even ready for this kind of responsibility?
But, God instantly calms my heart with this surety that He is in control and that there's no need to worry. He keeps showing me that the face of leadership is about to shift somewhat (crazy sounding, I know). What was required of a leader today will be different four years from now. Will I know what God wants or will I shove my head in the sand?
As I look over the next four years of where God wants to place me as well as seeing the political state and leadership of America, I see where the definition of Christian/ministry leadership will go back to the most basic form in order for all of us to make it through these uncertain times together. Programs, numbers, money will fade into the distance as leaders can't solidly rely on these things as they once could. Priorities will change as those they lead need more hope and encouragement than ever before to make it through worldwide chaos more so than they need another ministry goal, committee meeting (where nothing is accomplished) or sugar-coated sermons. Prayer will become forefront as people realize that prayer is about all they have left but then realize that being before God is where everything is at.
Leadership will be about simplifying, getting rid of the clutter in our lives and in our churches and ministries and getting back to the very basics that we've lost underneath all the good that we have done. It'll be about meeting needs right where we are at and putting legs to our faith rather than having more conversations about it and how to do it. It'll be about the people once again without the distractions of objectives, initiatives or standards.
Through the simplifying, we'll come to a point of true missional living where we see a picture much larger than ourselves. What was once the focus in the beginning days of ministry will come back into clear view as we strip down to God's original two commandments in Matthew 26:36-38: "Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’" That is where changing the world, true missions and discipleship all take place!
While I'm hesitant about the next four years, I'm optimistic. I keep thinking of Mordecai's words to Esther in Esther 4:14 and have to wonder if everything God has allowed me to go through, all the lessons He has taught me and all the people and resources along the way have been in preparation for such a time as this. I can see patterns, specificity and purpose to so many things that God has done that all lead up to this point. I see the women all around me and I'm excited, energized and ready. Yet I also see the news, hear the prophecy sermons and raise my eyes over the cost of groceries and start to question as I know that where God is sending me goes beyond a missions organization and church life.
I don't know what tomorrow brings nor do I feel I fully understand the role God is preparing me for as He keeps showing me different aspects to it. It's taken a couple months, but God has led me to this point where I have a deep-seated peace that He is with me and will equip me in specific ways to best serve and encourage the women in my path through myMISSION PIEDMONT and Piedmont WMU ~ for such a time as this!
