Matt's Muzings
To help you think, ponder and reflect on the human side of leadership
January 2009 Volume 11, Issue 91
I have hit the edge again. I have known it is there, and have been here before.
I understand it and teach on it, but emotionally it is very real to me these days.
Let me give you a couple examples of what I mean,
I
was walking across a busy intersection downtown on Orchard Road and a car pulled half way into the crosswalk and waited for us to go by. A group of people had to walk around him and I was one of them. I was angry.
As I walked on I thought to myself, 'Hmm, not a good reaction. Something deeper
in there.' I pondered it and walked on.
A little later I was in a grocery store and I was listening to worship songs on
my ipod and I wanted to cry. I put on my sunglasses and thought, 'Okay if you need to Matt, let it out'. The deeper issue was surfacing.
I walked home and had a honest talk with God and realized what the problem was.
I can't fulfill my destiny.
I can't fulfill my destiny.
I am convinced that it is not in my power to do what God has put in my heart to
do. This brings up condemnation and depression and then I withdraw, as it is just
too painful to carry.
This is not a highlight of my week and I am not proud of it but it is the reality
of my days. Then God reassures me. I ponder those who have gone before
me and realize that this is a part of walking with God.
1) He made it this way. If I could do it on my own then I wouldn't need God. I could
figure it out and get on with it, without having to" bother" Him. He wants my dependency
on him and relationship with Him and this is one way He can keep me in this mode.
2) He has done it this way all the way through the Bible for His beloved.
Jesus couldn't crucify himself; t was not physically possible. He needed help to
fulfill God's plan for him.
Moses couldn't save the Jews. He tried and killed an Egyptian but then had to flee
for his life. After 40 years in the desert he knew he couldn't do anything and even
told God clearly so. It seems only then was he really ready.
Abraham couldn't have a baby through Sarah. I am sure he enjoyed trying but it was
not in his power to do. Twenty five years of trying and waiting. Twice he gave Sarah
away to save his own skin. He was a traveler looking for the city of God that he
never found. Wonder how he felt in the midst of it all. I love reading in Romans.
4, 'In hope against hope, he believed'.
Joseph could not make people to bow down to him. All he got was false accusations,
prison, and being forgot about for years. He didn't even suggest himself for the
job when he was telling the King who was needed.
David had to flee for his life from a mad king who was trying to kill him. He could
not do it.
I know that God has given each of us a desire to do things that are not in our ability
to do. You have it within you if you are reading this. I know I have to let it take
me back to God and cast myself upon him and rest in Him.
My prayer for you as a leader is that you would know the grace to cast yourself
as His feet and give it all to him. He will do what He will do. We are just to love
Him and be obedient. He must open the doors if we are to change the nations.
May God Richly Bless you,
Matt & Celia
FAMILY MATTERS:
MATT: I am home for a week in Singapore trying to get some things going here. I
will join Celia for a couple weeks in Switzerland teaching . I am praying this is
a year of release for my family. It is time to see God do a new thing.
CELIA: 2009 a new year, I want to celebrate in faith and declare that God is good
and faithful and who began a work in us will bring it to completion. I am in Burtigny, Switzerland working once again with a team looking at the Celebrating Children curriculum project and then I will be with a workshop called Justice has a face ,two expressions of God's heart for children, the poor, the weak, the oppressed. I am expectant of what God wants to say and do. Pray with me for this time.
JOSHUA: Is doing better. It has been a hard season for him. He is looking for a
new job and that seems to be no small challenge in today's economy.
===================================
If this monthly Muzing is helpful, please forward it to friends and family.
If you're not yet a subscriber, email muzings@mac.com and ask to subscribe.