Lead Pastor’s Blog II.VIII

I read these words recently: “Jeroboam enticed Israel away from following the Lord and caused them to commit a great sin.” (II Kings 17:21) I just sat back and stopped reading at that point. Jeroboam was a king, a leader of the nation God had chosen. Can you imagine those words being penned about you personally? I said it out loud with my name and the name of the church I lead inserted in place of Jeroboam and Israel. It just sent a shudder down my spine.

It is such a challenge to live life in the place of leadership but we all do in some way. Perhaps it is as a parent or on your job site or in a volunteer position. Leadership is an immense challenge but also an incredible privilege. Parents would you like it said of you that you enticed your children away from the Lord and caused them to commit a great sin? Wow doesn’t that just grip your heart with a certain sense of fear? It seems God takes note when we lead people astray and we will one day give an account of our actions.

This past Sunday we had one of those special moments as a church family. As my friend, Mike Hack of Operation Mobilization, spoke God moved within our body of believers. There was a challenge and a warning. The challenge was in regards to whom we bow our knee in service and worship. The warning was that there is a very real spiritual battle going on and the evil one is out to deceive as well as destroy. People were making serious decisions. Some bowed and prayed. Some wept. Others just wandered out like everything was the same as usual. This was not a Jeroboam moment where people were being enticed away. This was more of a Hezekiah kind of moment. A few days ago I read these words about this king, “This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord.” (II Chronicles 31:20)

Two different leaders with two very different influences on their followers. Of Hezekiah it was said that he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. Later on in II Kings it says of the people of Israel that while they were worshipping the Lord they were serving their idols. In other words God was not number one. I think much of the North American church is right here. God is in play but not number one. Other pursuits, priorities and passtimes surpass God in our personal lives. We still worship when it is convenient but honestly He is not number one.

Today that can all change. Today each one of us can make an individual decision that will put God in His proper place in our lives. Today because of God’s wonderful grace we can bow our knees willingly to the King of Kings. Today is a day of opportunity. Will you seize it?

At the end of your days would you rather have the life impact of Jeroboam or Hezekiah? It is your choice. Choose wisely my friend.