Let me start by saying that a loving leader knows what we need, and gives it to us when we need it, not before and not after.
I was listening to Megan Woods' "The Truth" while reading in James, Chapter 1 this morning. My Spotify playlist followed up Megan with Sidewalk Prophets/Megan Danielle's "Looking Up", Third Day's "Thief" (one of my all-time favorites), and Andrew Ripp's "Roses. To be honest, Servant Leader, I couldn't help but key on the message God had for me this morning.
For those unfamilar with Megan Woods' song, "The Truth", the chorus goes...
The truth is I am my Father's child; I make Him proud and I make Him smile. I was made in the image of a perfect King; He looks at me and wouldn't change a thing. The truth is I am truly loved; By a God who's good when I'm not good enough. I don't belong to the lies, I belong to You; And that's the truth
And James? Well the key scripture that led me to James is in verse 12.
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12, NKJV)
That led me to read James in its entirety. James is about faith, trials, and maturity. James implores us to seek wisdom, avoid choosing temptation over righteousness, and to be "doers of the word, and not hearers only." (v. 22)
Can we just take a minute to bask in the awe that is His divine timing. Honestly, who is reading this right now wondering where their next paycheck is coming from, how they'll pay tomorrow's bills, whether the lack of stability in the job market is a blip on a new Administration's radar or a permanent fixture of the next four, twelve, or twenty years? And in the midst of that chaos God reminds us that we are made for a purpose, that we are made in the image of a "perfect King," that we receive gifts at the hands of a God "who gives to all liberally, and without reproach," (v. 5), and who meets us at our lowest point (Looking Up), offers us a way out (Looking Up, Thief), and truly understands the impact of events on our lives (Roses).
So, Servant Leader, if you are struggling with tomorrow, take heart in two truths. First, as Matthew reminds us, if He cares for each and every lily of the field (Matt 6:25-34), how much more does He care for you? Secondly, as someone who has recently been in the same boat - having my rug of stable employment pulled suddenly and without warning from underneath me - trust in the God in whose image you were created. He has given you the chance to trust in Him, to stand on your faith and His rock, and to refresh, reset, and reprioritize.
And if you can't? If you find yourself anxious, unable to sleep, struggling with what to tell your spouse or child, how do you handle it?
That's the lesson, Servant Leader. Be honest. Tell them you don't know, but that God does, and He's never let you down. Then take advantage of the change He's allowed in your life. Listen to the winds of change. Look at how the change impacts the people in your sphere of influence. Feel the emotions, process them, and understand how your faith can guide you in such trying times. Then read James, listen to your playlist, and trust that the "perfect King" has your back.
He had mine. And I'm grateful for the refresh.
Related Posts
