The Short-Handed Church

 

The church was short-handed, not because there were no members but because the members did not put their backs nor lend their hands to the work of God.  The leaders were on the brink of burnout.  You may ask, "Hmm, is this truly the work of God then?"

It's possible and that's the easy way out question.  The better question to ask is, why aren't the followers following the leaders because this is the work God has called (them/us) to do?  It's not for the leaders only but the whole congregation to be in sync, running along like an analog clock's clockwork mechanism, gears meshing and operating smoothly!

The leaders had purpose.  The purpose to serve the Lord to build up its members (and themselves) in their most holy faith and to bring others to faith in Jesus Christ.  So why, why, why aren't the followers following the leaders who are valiantly bursting their buttons til they're blue in the face?  It is God's work, afterall and we all know what needs to be done, and if we don't there's no excuse to remain in that state.  Members have tongues in their heads, phones in their hands and other means of communication, so should use them.

Where's the support group for these leaders?

Nehemiah was sent to rebuild the wall  of Jerusalem.  It was God's work and Nehemiah had gotten the call from God to do so.  It was God's purpose and became Nehemiah's and Nehemiah made it his business to get the task done.  He knew what needed to be done and presented it to those in Jerusalem already to take up the task.

They did with right good will.  They all pitched in and the wall was completed in 52 days despite opposition to the good work of God.

People of God, God's work is not given to leaders to do the work alone!  Leaders don't just need our financial support and pats on the back.  They need the followers to roll up their sleeves right along side and set to willingly, joyfully, to get the work of the Lord done.

Of course, maybe we should say fellow-workers and not followers!  Maybe we should say that.  Maybe it would make a difference.

It is not that we blindly follow and support the earthly leaders that are raised up among us but first and foremost we must keep in mind that this is the LORD'S WORK!  If it is His work then why aren't we engaged in it together, dear fellow-workers!????

Keep this in mind as we roll up our sleeves and work together with leaders appointed by the Lord and the work will continue even when leaders fail.  Fix our eyes on the Lord and his Supreme Leadership and our earthly leaders will never be short-handed.  May the Lord's work and will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

Amen!

Praise the Lord!

                                                        ~ERC  March 2022~

Based on Nehemiah 2.

Inspired by Talk # 6, by Stephen Armstrong - Verse by Verse Ministry.  Restoing God's People.

Sing, Revive Thy Work, O Lord, along with Saved and Kept Magherafelt ree Presbyterian Church.