Chosen

I remember as a kid at Knifley Elementary School when we would choose sides for a pick up game, I always wanted to be chosen first or at least close to it. I was a bit slow to “bloom”, so I was often chosen near the end. It was not a fun experience. I usually did pretty well if the pick up game was co-ed. (lol) I just was never super athletic. Looking back now I see how much I valued being chosen by my peers to participate in the playground game. I think everyone wants to be chosen first for a pick up game. Everyone wants to be of value.

The Lord was pretty frustrated with the grumbling of the people of Israel against the leadership team He had assembled. He gives instructions as to how He wants everyone to know whom He has chosen. Check this out…

1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 ‘Speak to the Israelites and get twelve staffs from them, one from the leader of each of their ancestral tribes. Write the name of each man on his staff. 3 On the staff of Levi write Aaron’s name, for there must be one staff for the head of each ancestral tribe. 4 Place them in the tent of meeting in front of the ark of the covenant law, where I meet with you. 5 The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites.’

8 The next day Moses entered the tent and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds. (Numbers 17:1-5,8 NIV)

The Lord made a statement about His chosen leader. This exercise freaked the other people out a bit as it should. It was a profound statement of God’s confidence in Aaron to be the lead priest before Him.

As I look back over the years I see that God chooses leaders much differently than the world choses leaders. It is very much a popularity contest as we elect official leaders from the local level all the way up to the national level. The Lord looks at the heart of His leaders. He is more concerned about what is going on in the “unseen” part of my soul because He knows that there is a direct connection to the outward behavior.

I want to be chosen to lead others to the Lord. I don’t want to be chosen not because of popularity or good looks. (I’m lacking in both!) I want to be chosen to lead because the Lord notices my faithfulness. I’m only capable of leading because of His Amazing Grace. He has cleaned up my soul more times than I can count. I know that leading in God’s economy begins with entry-level service. His economy isn’t about titles but towels. I will follow wherever He leads me. It’s elementary in God’s leadership structure to be a follower of Him first, then lead on.

Pressing On!

Dwayne