Response to “Asking the Lord”
AIM has, for nearly two decades, incorporated “ATL” into their program. There is distinctly no forcing of God’s hand – in fact, if God doesn’t lead, the group doesn’t go out. There is a fundamental belief, however, that God desires to speak to us more than we care to listen. The lives that have been changed through seeing evidence of God’s personal attention, confirmation to prayers prayed and guidance into areas unknown has been overwhelming. It builds faith and is not presented in any “mystical” sense. Luke 10 may not be the most clear cookie cutter example, but the principles do hold value.
Elephants in the Room
This isn’t so much a specific scenario as a life experience. All too often, we see people (participants, staff, even ourselves) operating in social denial. People can have the best of intentions and still be blinded to a blaring trait obvious to everyone else around. We too often have to confront this lack of social awareness and help people grow through these blind areas and they are almost never enjoyable conversations.
Two responses tend to come out: 1) a complete and sincere ignorance and obliviousness to their behavior – they are dumbfounded to find out how they are coming across and question its validity; 2) the insecure or prideful response of explaining their behavior away through every mode that avoids taking responsibility. I ask this question not to those that genuinely don’t see where they need to grow but to those in stages that are rooted in selfishness and immaturity.
I’m going to use a fictitious example here, but it could apply to any of several situations we have confronted on the race.
Jared has risen to a position of leadership because of his natural charisma and winsome attitude. He has made some quick decisions that have paid off and appears to have his act together. When the team arrives to a particular debrief and sits down with their coach, the tension is thick. No one seems to be willing to speak up. Answers are pat and vague (ie. the month was “fine”, there’s “excitement” for the next phase, etc.). Try as they may, their coach is unable to draw anything out of the group. In a one-on-one, another teammate, Lori mentions some frustration at Jared’s behavior. He spends nearly every day back from ministry planning to spend time in prayer – when the team returns, however, they find he spent nearly the entire day at the internet. Jared disappears for hours at a time and turns in receipts for various transportation expenses claiming to check out new ministry opportunities (many of which the team never knew existed). The team isn’t relating to him and his absence is missed. When confronted, Jared justifies his behavior as following the leading of the Lord (ie. leading to intercession, leading to new ministries, etc.).
The team feels Jared has become a lone ranger. They don’t agree with Jared’s justification and believe he’s using it as an excuse to avoid more challenging ministry or a sense of routine.
As leadership, Jared’s growth in learning to listen to the Lord is encouraging. We want to trust Jared in this and continue to encourage his obedience to the voice of the Lord. Should leadership intervene or encourage Lori and the team to handle it? If leadership does intervene, how should they approach the subject to get the best results?
