IN THIS THING TOGETHER
Exo 18:13-24 The next day Moses took his place to judge the people. People were standing before him all day long, from morning to night. When Moses' father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, "What's going on here? Why are you doing all this, and all by yourself, letting everybody line up before you from morning to night?" Moses said to his father-in-law, "Because the people come to me with questions about God. When something comes up, they come to me. I judge between a man and his neighbor and teach them God's laws and instructions." Moses' father-in-law said, "This is no way to go about it. You'll burn out, and the people right along with you. This is way too much for you--you can't do this alone. Now listen to me. Let me tell you how to do this so that God will be in this with you. Be there for the people before God, but let the matters of concern be presented to God. Your job is to teach them the rules and instructions, to show them how to live, what to do. And then you need to keep a sharp eye out for competent men--men who fear God, men of integrity, men who are incorruptible--and appoint them as leaders over groups organized by the thousand, by the hundred, by fifty, and by ten. They'll be responsible for the everyday work of judging among the people. They'll bring the hard cases to you, but in the routine cases they'll be the judges. They will share your load and that will make it easier for you. If you handle the work this way, you'll have the strength to carry out whatever God commands you, and the people in their settings will flourish also." Moses listened to the counsel of his father-in-law and did everything he said.
The purposes of God are always much bigger than any one individual can accomplish themselves. Today, the church is predominantly run by individuals. This individualism I believe is the greatest hindrance of the fullness of God being seen and experienced in the world today. An example of this is seen in the professional sports arena. Teams that are predominantly centered upon one or a few seldom go very far in the playoffs, while teams that are made up of many each doing there part, go far, like the Pistons and Spurs of the NBA, and the New England Patriots of the NFL. On these teams you can't really point out an individual as the key to there success, it is the team as a whole. And it is these teams that continue success consistently each year, while other teams based on individuals vary, depending on injury, there demands being fulfilled etc.
Most every professional athlete has the same goal and that is to win it all, likewise this is my goal I want to see and experience all God has for me. But, I know this is only possible based on how I work together as a team with those God has placed around me. God's plan for me is much bigger than me and that is why I need each of you, and why each of you need me. United we stand, divided we fall. Professional Athletes who play year after year, and there team seems to go nowhere, become very unsettled, they want to be traded, to go elsewhere.
Christians who are really not connected, who are not really involved, are unsettled, not sure of themselves, easily moved, tossed to and fro. A good coach, a good leader knows how to get everyone involved, to maximize the potential of every individual so that the team as a whole is strong. 2006 is the year to Arise and Shine, to connect with one another and become that much more strong. It is time to become part of the prophetic vision given to many of the Army of God, a mass of people, the nameless, faceless, placeless generation going forth throughout the land accomplishing the will of God together as one.
Moses received wise counsel from his Father-in-law, who observed him trying to carry the load on his own, and was willing to confront him, and correct him, and then teach him the right matter to going about fulfilling his tasks. Individualism has arose because the lack of Fathering in the body of Christ today. When one has to raise themselves, they don't see the need so much for another. They have been disappointed by others and therefore struggle with trusting others. If a child is not affirmed in what it does they suffer with low self esteem. They need attention, there out to prove to the world what they can accomplish on there own.
God is raising up Fathers those who walk in a Apostolic Anointing to the body of Christ today. Before there can be sons and daughters, there must be Fathers and Mothers. The bible says that all of creation is awaiting the manifestation of the sons and daughters of God (Rom 8:19). Loraine and I are here to be a Spiritual Father and Mother to you. To help affirm you, guide you, and teach you the ways of God. We are here to help you fulfill your destiny in Christ Jesus. The time has come for each of us to rise up, to take our place, and do our part, so each of us together can be so much greater than if alone.
I don't want to burn out, the average life expectancy for a Youth Pastor is less than two years. I believe this happens, because like Moses we try to do too much, and don't entrust the youth to come alongside us and help us fulfill God's call. Well, this year I am calling out youth to come alongside my wife and I and help us carry the load. We are in this thing together, it is not about us, it is all about Him. For the vision God has given me, the things He has promised me are not just for me, but for you. For we are a team, so let's unite together so we can see the victory.