Are You Bovvered?

We really enjoyed another tremendous time in yesterday's meeting: welcoming in some new people who have recently completed our Power for Living Course, Pastor Richard's fiery preach and a flood of positive, faith-building testimonies proved, once again, that letting God set the agenda for our meetings produces the most exciting times imaginable. Who said Church is boring??

I have been left reflecting on a continuing prophetic theme emerging in recent times: do you care? All great leaders genuinely care. This year has been a timely reminder from the Lord about what and/or who I care about. At times it is easy to get bogged down in the minutiae of Church life: handling pastoral 'problems', keeping motivated during quieter seasons, dealing with disappointment, persisting in prayer and pursuing God through it all. What underpins these moments is whether we care or not.

Care is not some sort of sentimental expression of sickly-sweet feelings all wrapped up in a big group hug (!), instead it simply means we care about what God cares about and react accordingly. I am currently working my way through Numbers and I have got to the section where the Israelites begin to moan, complain and rebel after they choose to listen to the negative report of the Promised Land rather than Joshua and Caleb's unwavering belief that faith and trust in God will deliver this land into their hands (Numbers 13:26-14:38).

Interestingly, Moses appeals to the Lord who, quite rightly, thinks it's time to get rid of these moaning, ungrateful, selfish people who seemed to have forgotten the HUGE back catalogue of signs, wonders and miracles done by Him on their behalf. Moses' appeal is worth a read as the spirit beneath it is one of care. He cares about the Lord's reputation; he cares about the testimony that will be spread if He does wipe out the Israelites and he cares about the people who, while foolish and unrepentant, are still chosen by God for the display of His splendour.

If you were Moses, what would you have done? I suspect some of us would have simply agreed with the Lord, sent the ungrateful moaners a 'Happy Judgment Day' text and settled down in a comfy chair and waited for the BBQ to really get going. As Pastor John said on Saturday morning, "frustration leads to aggression" but not so with Moses; he cared and so must we.

This week is a brand new, fresh opportunity to walk with the Lord. Give Him time to tell you what He cares about and then position that revelation at the top of your priority list. Those of you in positions of leadership: homegroup leaders, youth, children's ministry, preachers and so on, get on your knees and seek God because selfish leadership is spiritual poison in the House of God. How many of us allow self-interest to touch our lives and influence our motives? How many of us care about what we want with scant regard for what God wants? I know this is quite a hard message for today's blog but let's start the week with some fire in our bellies and some passion in our hearts: are you bovvered? YOU SHOULD BE!!??