Transcript
There is nothing more important for a leadership community than to be constantly reminded of the presence, power, promises, and grace of the Redeemer. For every leader, God's greatest gift to you is not your seminary training. God's greatest gift to you is not systematic theology. God's greatest gift to you is not your ministry calling. This will shock you. God's greatest gift to you is not even your Bible. God's greatest gift to you is the gift of Himself in the presence of His Son. It's Christ in us that is the hope of glory.
The Presence of God Confronts and Comforts
Now, reflecting on the presence of God both confronts and comforts. It confronts us to constantly remember that ministry is not all about us. Ministry is about Him. I love, again, Peter as he's talking to leaders at the end of his first letter says, "Humble yourself underneath the mighty hand of God."
In my words, Peter's just reminding, "Leaders, there's a King and He's not you." I need to be reminded of that. It's His Church, His kingdom, His grace, His glory. It's Him. It's a huge comfort because I don't have to load the horrible burden of the spiritual welfare of the people I've been called to serve on my shoulders. I do not carry my congregation. I do not carry the spiritual health of my ministry. I change no one. Jesus does all of that. I am never anything more than a tool in His hands.
It's deeply discouraging to forget that it's not about my power, it's about His. And it's gloriously comforting to know that He is in us and for us and with us, and no one cares more about the success of the church and the health of the kingdom of God than the Lord of the church and the King of kings. It's His presence that must be held before us every day in our leadership community.
