WE ARE HIS MESSENGERS

We are His Messengers

 

I must admit, I’m a social media fan. I also must confess; it is sort of a daily habit. Occasionally I will take a day to detox

I have connected with friends and acquaintances that I had lost contact with for too many years. Doing catch up on their children, grandchildren, hearing the stories of their journeys has been a precious gift.

That being said, we have all observed that it can become a platform for almost any issue or agenda.

An issue that has concerned me of late are the manner in which Christians verbalize their political opinions and are using this tool as a platform to complain. Social media can be used for arguments of any issue from politics, sports and religion.

We are blessed to live in a democratic society where we have freedom of speech, and the right to vote the political party that most expresses our values. As Christian leaders in our society, we need to be even more aware of the messages we send out.

When Paul instructed us as to how to treat those in authority, he was living under Roman rule, who hated and killed Christians. He instructed us in Romans 13; Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves…….for the one in authority is God’s servant; and he continues through verse 7 with instructions as to how we are to respond to those in authority.

Praying for those in authority is a biblical command. 1 Timothy 2:2 tells us to pray for kings and all who are in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives.

 When Jesus was approached by the Pharisees regarding paying taxes, he instructed them to give to Caesar what belonged to him and to God what belongs to God.

Are we seeking to glorify God in social media?  That doesn’t mean we are to preach a sermon or give a thought for the day. If we want to do that, then we can start our own ‘Thought for Today” sight and have people subscribe. It may be somewhat humiliating if we were depending on our followers to make us feel accomplished!

Does our speech build up or tear down?  James 3:10 tells us that it is not beneficial for praise and cursing to come out of the same mouth. Social media is rampant with gossip, pessimism and complaining. May the words of my mouth and the medication of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Do people see the light of Christ in us based on what we post? Matt 5:16; Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good deed and glorify your Father in heaven.   While it isn’t necessary to give the four spiritual laws on your page there can be amazing opportunities to tell your story about God’s grace.

The following is a prayer I found on my fb newsfeed shortly after our present Prime Minister was elected. I very seldom share newsfeeds; however, I did this one.

Lord, whisper to his heart, and the hearts of our new leaders,

Light in him a new fire of Holy accountability and fill his dreams with visions of Your will that cannot be shaken off upon waking.

His idealism and inexperience are strengths. Take this soft clay and shape it. Take this raw ore and refine it. His newness to the vicious arena of politics has not yet hardened him with cynicism or bitterness.

Lord direct his feet in the way they should go.

Give him eyes to see what you have him to see.

Surround him with wise counsel; let him hear it and embrace it.

Protect his marriage and his children.

Protect his body and his mind.

Lord shape him into a champion

Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Way of the Geese

The Way of the Geese

It is Sunday, May 1 2016 and my first walk of the season around Telford Lake, in the city of Leduc where I reside.

Nature’s market has opened its doors for business. A variety of species seem to be endeavoring to mark out their territory, as they outdo each other in their own cultural language.

The Geese are what seems to be getting more of my attention as I sit at the water’s edge and observe their industrious pattern of doing things.  They are fascinating creatures even though they are considered pests.

I am amazed how they can fly over the lake and land as smoothly as a 747. As I observe their activity, they seem to never fly alone and have a keen sense of ownership of the community they call home.  Probably one of the most phenomenal geese facts is that their desire to return to their place every year is so strong that they will often fly up to 5000 kilometers to get there.

They fascinated me to the point that I came home and did some research of geese, and discovered there’s a lot to be learned from the way of the geese, especially for those in either secular or faith based leadership.

1.       Geese fly in a V formation. By doing so, as each goose flaps its wings, creating an uplift for the birds that follow which adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone. This exemplifies great team work. People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier when working together.

 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.

 

2.       When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone, and will move back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front of it. How often in leadership we see weakness in the team, either because we depend too much on the leader or the leader feels the need to carry the load.

Romans 15:1 NIV: We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

 

3.       When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position. It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese people need each other’s skills, capabilities and gifts to accomplish the task.

 

1 Peter 4:10 ESV: As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

 

 

4.       One of the honking theories is that geese honk to encourage those in the front to keep up their speed. We need to be sure that when we honk it is encouragement. In spite of the seminars and workshops on team work, it is still quite common to hear horror stories of supervisors and managers who degrade and humiliate their co-workers.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:11:  Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. It goes on to say to honor those who work hard and live in peace.

 

 

5.       When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with the wounded goose until it dies or is able to fly. Standing by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong would be a lesson well learned.

Gal 6:2 NIV: Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

 

Another interesting fact about geese is that they have a strong sense of family and group loyalty. In a world of constant change, where loyalties to leaderships, organizations and the family unit is on the decline, we could well learn something from the Way of the Geese.