Being a leader is tough.
One minute we’re on the mountain top celebrating the hundreds of people being baptized; the next, we’re in the lowest valley and our hearts break when a family leaves the church.
Being a leader is tough.
We get way too much credit when things go well; this can lead to pride.
We get way too much credit when things go bad; this can lead to despair.
Being a leader is tough.
We’re called upon to cast compelling visions of the future, counsel hurting people and provide organizational strategy that grows more complex by the day. [At Transformation Church, our staff has grown from 3 to 28 in three years, and we have nearly 1,000 servant-leaders (people who volunteer)].
In the midst of this overwhelming reality, the greatest thing I can do is REST.
Perhaps you’re saying, “Pastor Derwin, how can you rest with all the demands you have?”
When I say the greatest thing a leader can do is REST, I mean REST from trying to do Jesus’ job by our own efforts or works. If we don’t REST, we’ll grow emotionally and physically weary, which will lead to sin. Instead of trusting Jesus, we’ll take matters into our own hands, just like the Nation of Israel did in the wilderness. Instead of resting in God’s work, they created their own god (The Golden Calf).
By the way, what are the Golden Calves we’re building because we’re not RESTING? Is it people pleasing? Is it jealously? Is it self-medicating? It is control?
Hebrews 4:10-11 NLT says, “For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.”
God’s REST is God’s GRACE!
I’m saved from the penalty, the power and ultimately the presence of sin by Jesus’ work from beginning to end.
Jesus will supply everything I need to be the leader He’s created, called and uniquely crafted me to be.
This past week, I was an emotional wreck because I was working for Jesus, instead of RESTING in the work of Jesus on my behalf.
Jesus is going to build His Church through me. I just need to REST.
Jesus is going to bless me to be a great father and husband. I just need to REST.
Jesus is going to meet all my needs spiritually, physically and emotionally. I just need to REST.
Will you REST with me?
The greatest thing a leader can do is REST.
