How to find out if it’s all about you

Have you ever had God just put you in line…you know, when you are minding your own business and God interrupts your pity party? I was recently in my place of prayer…with kids it can be many places but my shower really is alone time! LOL! I was pondering and praying about some very personal and important decisions and just talking with God about the delays and misunderstandings hoping to build myself in His Word declaring His principles over my life. It was just then, God invaded my time, as I finally got quiet the Lord just spoke so clearly to me, He said “I have many other things I would like to talk with you about but we cannot stop talking about you!” Ouch! I have to admit it hurt but how true.

Later, as I was preparing for a class I’ve been teaching, the Lord dropped this thought into my heart. I decided it was worth sharing for all of us: How often do we give God the opportunity to remind us, this is certainly not about us! Though as leaders God is concerned with our lives and care for us; He is working greater purposes sometimes than we can understand.

King Jeroboam is a Old Testament King who was often found exalting himself above people and God. 1 Kings 13:1-8 encompasses the very essence of selfishness; here a undisclosed prophet comes and gives a word to the King that one will come and tear down all he has built if he doesn’t repent for himself and for his people. The King set the atmosphere of how the people lived and received…as leaders we set the atmosphere for the expectation of our people.

But what takes place is interesting. Jeroboam curses this prophet and in anger reaches his hand towards him and as he does…the King’s mighty hand withers. A true sign that God isn’t playing. However this is the part I want you to see…once Jeroboam realized that God was in this thing, instead of repenting and reestablishing the people back to one true God…he was only concerned with his healing.

Leaders who would rather have the answers to the temporary than the presence of forever scare me! We must not be like Jeroboam and be so caught in our own iniquities that our prayer becomes “save me”, “heal me”, “anoint me”. This self centered approach eliminates the possibility of you and I truly being a multigenerational leader.

Listen, God is shifting His people and He is eliminating the self seekers…who only want a restored hand for themselves but not the presence of God for their nation or people! We must not stop praying and sacrificing for the nation of people, the city, the community of people we have been commissioned to. It is very possible that your temporary healing or need will be met but your people could be exiled and lost from their purpose while you are celebrating your temporary experience!