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In 1 Chronicles 13, King David puts in motion a plan to bring the Ark of the Covenant to the City of David. The city was the heart of the nation of Israel and with this move the presence of God as manifest in the Ark of the Covenant was to be its lifeblood. The plan made sense.
With dancers, music, and much fanfare a procession begins to bring the ark back to the city. As the ark is being transported on a cart, the oxen stumble. A priest reaches out and touches the ark to steady it. Immediately, God strikes the priest dead.
Upon the death of the priest, David is struck with anger and fear which causes him to rethink his plans. He elects to leave the ark with a family in the country rather than bring it back to the city with him.
David's intentions and actions are similar to many of our own. We desire to see God present and part of our lives. Unfortunately, like David, we often want His presence on our terms.
David desired the presence of God when God was safely "in a box". When the presence of God could be mobilized and carried in the timing and manner that felt good and right, the presence of God was welcomed with singing and celebration. When God demonstrated that His presence was not subservient to the plans or terms of men, suddenly that presence did not feel so good. It even became something to fear rather than to welcome.
As Christian leaders we can often have a similar posture of heart as we approach change or innovation in the ministry efforts we're called to lead. When that change is unfolding in the ways we've planned and anticipated, we'll rally around and celebrate. When we see God is calling us to lead through changes we hadn't anticipated or desired, that mantle of leadership is one we're not usually as eager to wear.
I think of my Iranian sister in Christ. Several years ago, the pastor of the secret house church she attended was arrested. This was the first of several changes that she did not see coming. From there, she felt God leading her to host a secret church in her own home; however, even that was not the end of her story.
She too was eventually arrested and tortured and ultimately forced to flee Iran. Today, using online platforms she is discipling several women in Iran that are also starting secret house churches. Rather than working in a single house church, God led her on a journey to support a number of churches.
Again, none of these changes were expected by our dear sister. In the face of the unexpected, it would have been perfectly natural for her to shrink back in fear. Yet our sister in Christ models a truth we need to remember. In times when our circumstances are unexpected, it may very well be because God is choosing to work in a way that we were not expecting.
As leaders, let's recognize that we serve a God that we can't contain in a "box" of our expectations or whims. God's presence in our lives requires His terms and not our own. Let's pray that we continue to surrender our thoughts, expectations, and desires to Christ.
 | Ryan Brown serves Open Doors US as Chief Executive Officer. Learn More » |
Have you ever felt the pull to full-time ministry work as a missionary or pastor? If not, you can still make a Kingdom impact without quitting your current job. In this eBook, you will learn the four essentials that can change your perspective of work, your workplace, and most importantly, your heart.
 | Jordan Raynor helps Christians respond to the radical, biblical truth that their work matters for … |
 | Todd Hopkins is founder and CEO of Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services. He earned the … |
Ryan Sanders serves as the Director of Content for BiblicalLeadership.com. |
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