Here’s a few things I’ve been learning at Launch.
Where are you tied? On what or on whom do you depend? Where or from whom do you seek approval? Your role (or calling) must be tied to (depends on) something or someone. What you do always relies on the support or action of someone or something. So, Role Tied! Or maybe it’s Roll Tide! The title and that last statement is in reference to the championship the first night of launch. Anyway…
The world tries to teach us the art of self-reliance, which to a certain extent is valuable and even Biblical (“each should carry his own load” – Gal. 6:5). As I have recently learned, the “load” we carry pertains to the personal responsibility that we each hold, so when we try to carry another’s personal responsibility, we train them to not deal with the consequences of their actions. It is good to be responsible and learn from mistakes. When we learn, we grow.
We are also called to carry each other’s burdens at the same time (Galatians 6:2), but a “burden” is much different than a “load.” A burden was defined to me differently than a load in this way: a burden is that which comes upon you that you cannot carry on your own. Since we can’t carry those things by ourselves, we must take the burden off others and help them. Help remove the burden so they can more easily handle their load. Your load is proportional to what you can personally handle, but burdens weigh you down beyond that.
Become totally dependent on God, and be sure you do not serve in a way that makes others unhealthily dependent upon you. People naturally want a leader. If you lead, others will follow you in the same way you follow those you seek and depend on for guidance. A pastor’s success should not be based on the number of people who follow him or come to church. A pastor’s success should be based on the number of people who follow Jesus. I needed to hear that. The way I follow the Lord could determine how those I lead follow Him. We must follow well.
We fly out of the country on Friday morning. Our first flight leaves at 6 AM Eastern time. Look for another blog post on Friday.
