March 10, 2012

Hebrews 13:17

“Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”

Oooooh, this verse is so dear to my heart because I’ve seen how it can be first- and second-hand. Growing up with my dad as a pastor, positions of leadership have been present all my life. Not only did I have to worry about my dad’s leadership and the submission to his authority, but I also had to worry about leading by example, and later on, leading my youth group in the function that I serve. Boy, has that been a challenge and journey of lessons o_O.

It’s never easy to lead. People expect you to be perfect, though they themselves are not. Also, oftentimes, many people do not curb under your rule, and they convince others to follow suit. At other times, some people just “boycott” and don’t participate at all. It’s easy to become discouraged and just want to leave the post that you’re in. But you know what makes leading worthwhile? The few people who do care, who understand that you are human and you will make mistakes; the few who listen to you rather than being stubborn against your rule; and those who give 100% in everything that they do. They know that the group is a team, and they do their best to give their part. Which group do you belong to? Do you fully commit and submit to authority? At church? At school? at work? Or do you make the leaders’ job a burden and thus, ruin it for yourself accordingly? If you fall into the latter group, make it a goal to make it easier on your leaders today so that they can do God’s will with joy in their hearts. Don’t be a burden, be a chocolate bar (i.e., a treat) :-)