Free Newsletters

on LeadershipJournal.net

« Madam President? | Main | Food For Thought »

November 30, 2007

Working Like Unbelievers

by by Rebecca Guillory Gilmer

In a recent interview with Rebecca Guillory Gilmer, vice president of The Impact Movement and Gifted For Leadership editorial advisor, the editors asked her what she considered the biggest pitfall to leaders in launching a new ministry. Here's what she had to say.

Whenever we launch something - in ministry particular - we tend to say we can do it because "God is leading. God is in it. This is something God is doing." At least, that's what we say. And then we go and fall in what I call "the pit" and completely ignore the contradiction between what we say and what we do.

Because you see, while we may say this - that it's up to God - we work like it's all on us, and that if we don't do it, it won't get done! And we work like unbelievers, although we talk like believers.

We all do this. I see it within myself. I see it in every relationship near me and as I read other things. No matter what we say, there's this unbelief about whether or not really God is doing what we say he is.

This shows up in all kinds of ways: It shows up as fear. It shows up as pride. And we need to be aware when this happens.

For me, this awareness comes from having authentic relationships with people who know me, who listen to me, and who listen for my inconsistency. These are people who say, "Rebecca, if you really believe, then?" They make "if-then" statements to me using my own words, because I'm so easily deceived. Because of where I am with the Lord, it's not the big things that deceive me as they once did. I'm not looking to steal something or to buy cigarettes on the corner like I did when I was a girl. But I can, in my very actions, lay bare that I don't believe the very thing I believed just an hour ago.

It's when we realize our fear and our disbelief that we need to be willing to get right back before the Lord and say, "Oh Lord, here I am again; I don't believe; I'm afraid." Whatever it is, we need to confess it to him. Because if I believe he's placed a passion and I believe a work is his, he will accomplish it.

Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on November 30, 2007 8:40 AM

Comments

Excellent thoughts. It is so easy to become bogged down and overwhelmed by our own inadequecies. Great reminder for me to depend on Christ--not myself--as the Strength through which I serve.

Posted By: TheWalk | December 1, 2007 8:33 PM

Rebecca, I would love to see you unpack this concept a little more fully, because I'm not sure if I understand what you mean. God does, in fact, expect us to take action based on what He tells us, whether we hear from him in prayer, through the words of a wise counselor, or directly from the Bible. Yes, "he will accomplish" whatever He wills, but it almost seems like you're saying "He will accomplish it REGARDLESS of whether I obey him and take action or not." That doesn't seem right to me.

Yes, God will accomplish what He wills, but I wonder if His goals are more often about process than result; i.e. He wants to walk us through the action of accomplishing whatever it is. Sometimes He actually wants to walk us through failure. Sometimes He is giving us the opportunity to choose obedience or not; or to step out in faith and do something or not.

If I say, "I am able to do this because God is in it..." I'm simply acknowledging my complete dependence on Him. It is in HIS strength I live and breathe and act. I cannot do anything without Him. Interestingly, He CAN do things without me, but He often chooses not to. He actually waits for my participation--my obedience. I love Exodus 14:15 because it's a great example of a place where God actually said, in essence, "Stop praying and get moving!" He wants both our faith AND our participation.

Perhaps if I knew exactly what those "If...then" statements from your friends were, I'd understand better what you're communicating here.

Great topic, very thought-provoking!

Posted By: Rachelle | December 3, 2007 1:46 PM

I agree, this IS a thought provoking subject. It is also where the rubber meets the road. I have three comments: 1. The Apostle Paul and even Jesus Himself were often unable to do what they would have liked to do because of opposition from other people. So sometimes what we think God has directed us to do gets stimied or smothered by opposition. 2. Sometimes the failure of an effort is consciously or sub-consciously aborted by our own failure to follow through, to persevere to victory. 3. Now to the If/Then statements. I agree that I do see a waffling in others and myself in that we "say" we want something to happen but the plan then lingers in mid-air until it evaporates. I am currently frustrated by the responsibility I have as Evangelism Chair in a Church that is very community minded but not necessarily with the spreading of "the Gospel" in true form. We love "love' but don't get to the nitty-gritty. Therefore, my Pastor strattles the fence in so many areas not supporting what he and I have discussed for execution of plans. It isn't that we don't agree, he waffles and then in time the plan is gone and he thinks it's because I did not go for it forgetting, perhaps willingly, that he is the block. So while I see a field of minstry there, I can in reality not do much. So, while I think God lead me there, I'm ready to quit and move into a field that is open and growing. Time is too short to waste on people who say one thing but act another. Time is too short to waste by saying one thing and doing another. So does God "get" His work done? It appears to me that He has formulated the endeavor to include our cooperation with Him. He also never violates our wills. If we won't then He gets someone else. If we can't get done what He said to do then He takes action accordingly as it is important to His plan. Sometimes he removes the blocks from our path and sometimes He moves us.
I am interested to read other thoughts on this subject; I do not think I have all the truth on this suject but believe what I have said to be truth.

Posted By: Ramona | December 4, 2007 9:59 AM

I in my wisdom (pun), have decided that this subject while thought provoking is however without merit (no offense). I ask these questions about ministry, any ministry led of God. 1. Does not the desire and fortitude to work within a ministry come from that which God places within us? 2. Did not God tell us to keep our hands busy with His work, with the axiom "to persevere until I come"? How about the text, "with all your might do all to the glory of God", keeping in mind that, some of us are task driven and workaholics to begin with. I guess my question rest with, is it the attitude in which I "function" / "work" or the process in itself? I am reminded that people are selected for the work, and not the work for the people, "many will be called but few will be chosen".
Unbelievers work for themselves and for their own gratifications, whereas Believers whom may be just as dutiful work for the Master.
I can certainly say to this post by Rebecca that the "cardinal mind" does not work for the Lord, quite the opposite.

Posted By: Carla Ellis-Revell | December 4, 2007 12:13 PM

My dear sister, I have just bowed my head and asked for forgiveness. I agree with you. For those you do not understand have just begun their journey. My husband and I always gave a 100% in all we do for our Lord. We relocated and my husband is pastoring a small church. With all the past success and now at loss in what to do for these sheep. Here it comes, We work like if it is on us. I am tired doing all I can do. See there it is again. My answer! It does not take a carnal mind. But, one that may be overworked or might have moved forward ahead of the Lord. Maybe one who thinks they have all the answers and helps God out. (not realizing the frame of thinking you maybe in, or depending on past sucess or whatever thought, you may be frozen in) What ever the cause, Rebecca, thank you for your insight.It was deeply needed. If Christ can not work here, my Lord will open another door, not me. (I wanted to leave this all behind)

Posted By: Patty | December 11, 2007 7:23 AM

Post a comment:





Verification (needed to reduce spam):

Tags

see more

resources