Breakfast Banter

Most Tuesday mornings, Neil, John and I meet for breakfast to catch up and pray together. This morning we met and had a really positive time. Although I am not always at my best in the mornings, I come away from these sessions feeling much more awake, encouraged and usually very challenged! In the last couple of meetings alot of the focus has been on the importance of Neil and I developing as Leaders. John is both apostolic and prophetic and this combination of gift means he is extremely accurate in putting his finger on the 'real issue' and discerning what is lurking underneath. Sometimes it is hard to take a direct challenge over character issues (usually flaws!) and realise that you think you know so much when actually you know very little. This refining process is essential for all of us, not just those in Leadership positions in the Church (e.g. Homegroup Leaders, Ministry Leaders etc). It never ceases to amaze me that God consistently and constantly steps into our characters to make us more like Jesus. Nobody would dispute this, but what can be harder to take is when that process involves another person. We will all take a rebuke from the Lord, it's when He chooses to use someone else to do it that a problem can arise. I know how easy it is for me to get defensive and self-righteous; sometimes even judgmental. This is all sin and inhibits God's sanctifying work in my life. I was reading about Moses this morning and how the Israelites were so good at moaning! (Exodus 15:24, Exodus 16:2). I think God used these moaning people to test Moses' character and faith. We must graciously accept correction, challenge and rebuke. God does not work in a vacuum, He works in and through people. Make sure you don't miss out on the sanctifying work of God because you think you know better.