This morning I am reading in Hebrews as I continue my study of “joy”. I am brought to the passage titled “Sacrifices Pleasing to God” in my ESV bible. I get that I am to be doing that which is pleasing to God, but I forget that I have a responsibility to the leaders as they do for me.
I have needs that are met by the leaders in the church. Those needs may be physical or spiritual and yet the leaders in the church do not discriminate. These leaders will do for those in their care regardless of the need. Yet, they should not have to be doing without feeling the joy of the LORD.
“17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” — Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)
Leaders should not have to be searching for joy in taking action on my behalf. The joy should be in the action itself as they know that what they are doing is in the name of the LORD and for the good of a brother in Christ. Now, I am not saying that there is not joy in the hearts of our leaders in the church. What I am saying is that we should be making their jobs easier by allowing them to meet with God on our behalf with complete joy for doing so in their hearts and not have to wonder whether there is truth in our actions and declarations. How do I accomplish that.
Well, by obeying them and submitting to their authority. Christ has placed them in this position to lead us in our growth and learning with Him. It is my duty to follow them and take their direction so as to give them the ability to have singular thought and action, bringing glory to the name of God and spread the gospel. I have to remember their role and their tasks and take the pressure off of them to work this singular thought and action. When coming to the leaders, there should be joy in their hearts as they know that I would only be coming in a situation where I was truly in need and not in the instance of wanting to shuck responsibility and ask someone else to take care of things for me.
Leaders should lead and I have to remember that it is my responsibility to follow. My following however should be that which gives them joy as opposed to anxiousness at what is behind them. Leaders should be able to look behind them and see along with feel the love of their brothers and sisters in Christ pushing them along as they go. As they look behind them they should be able to see those that are weary and down and then they will joyfully come to them and help by lifting them up and walking with them through the difficulty.
What is the attitude of those leading you? Are you expecting them to do all of the lifting and you reaping the reward? What if you were to do all of the lifting to give them an easier time and when you need them, they come to you with joy in their heart and lift you up?
Trevor's Thoughts 