The Cracked Pot…

The Lord brought this verse to mind the other day:
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrews 13: 17
Now, the author of Hebrews is talking to fellow believers, not the world. (SIDE NOTE: there should be a difference between the two!!) So, in this context I can assume he means leaders as in Pastors, Elders and those who have an accountability to the Lord for what they teach and how they lead. We are told to obey and submit to them. We are told to let them lead with joy! Hmmmmm….In my journey through ministry l have noticed, mostly, the opposite. I’ve heard and seen people hang great expectations on their leaders. They feel it is the leaders “job” to see that everything they want is done. What book are they reading?? Again, we are told to obey and submit and make leadership a joy!
Believe me, when we choose to make it a joy for our leaders to lead us we do benefit from their anointing and leadership, so in reality, it does bless us. When we make it easy for them to lead us, it sets them free to listen to and move forward in everything God is calling them to do.
So, I challenge you to ask yourself (honestly) if you are a joy to lead or do you make those in positions of leadership over you groan? Do you desire to make their mantle lighter or heavier? Do you expect them to meet all your needs? Do you expect them to be perfect?
Now, re-read Hebrews 13:17. May God give you revelation as you seek out the wisdom in this.