Monday, July 9, 2012

Galatians 6:9 - No "Microwave Leadership"


MEMORY VERSE:
“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good.  At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit.  Galatians 6:9 (The Message)

Do you ever wonder what it’s all about; what good comes from the work you do for your church or community?  Does it help anyone?  Would anyone care if you stopped?

When we don’t see immediate results from the work we do it’s easy to get frustrated.  We live in an “instant gratification” world.  We want results now...not five minutes from now, and certainly not months or years from now.

Remember how amazed you were the first time you baked a potato in the microwave in FOUR minutes, instead of in the oven for an hour?

OK I know some of you are thinking, “You mean there was a world before microwaves?”, and I’m showing my age by telling you, “Yes!  Yes there was, and I remember it vividly!”

The fact is, today the microwave is taken for granted.  You have two hands, two feet, one nose, two eyes...and a microwave. 

Now, I find myself impatiently counting the seconds while I nuke my instant oatmeal for two minutes, all the while thinking, “What’s this “instant” crap?  It takes TWO minutes for crying out loud!”

If you’re in a leadership role and you’re getting frustrated because you’re not seeing immediate results you’re not alone.  I’ll be honest with you...sometimes I wonder why I write or do public speaking...does it has an impact on people’s lives, or am I just wasting my time?

Every leader gets frustrated or disillusioned at some point, and I believe it’s worse today because we DO expect everything to happen overnight.  That’s simply not the way ministry or leadership works.

Paul knew this when he wrote these lines to the Galatians...

“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good.  At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit.”  Galatians 6:9 (The Message)

Are you frustrated with your ministry?  Are you feeling ineffective as a leader?  Check in with God to determine if you’re on the right path.  If you are, take heart from Paul’s encouraging words. 

Stay in it for the long haul; don’t give in to “microwave leadership”.   You ARE making a difference!

Please share your thoughts about leadership by clicking on “comments” below.

2 comments:

Chris said...

And you are making a difference too Carol; thanks for the thoughtful post.

Carol Henders said...

Thanks Chris, I appreciate your support.