Scripture Read:  Psalm 113, 114

Key Verse:  Psalm 113:7

“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.”

Observation:

God will surprise us by using people and things we thought were unusable. This is a theme in scripture.   God is in the business of making princes and princesses out of highly unlikely candidates.  The title of the Psalm asks a rhetorical question as if to say, “no one compares to our God.”  After all, no one thinks like God and understands and fathoms his plans.  No ones sees the possibility of a redeemed life quite like God does, but is it possible to start to see people as God sees them?  I think so.

Jesus was born in an unlikely place and the disciples weren’t the educated elite of the day.  It is highly likely that the next person to change the face of 217church will come from an unlikely place.

Application:

One of the primary roles of the leader is leadership selection.  One of the things I tell people who want to lead well is, “Start selecting leaders!”  Don’t always look in the obvious places. Jesus didn’t. He went out and chose smelly fishermen that followed him.  I am looking for some people to serve alongside of 217church right now that don’t have degrees, amazing qualifications, or that want a “titled position.” Quite frankly I want people who will park cars with incredible excellence and attention to detail.  Our next Pastor will probably first lead the parking ministry.  I’M DEAD SERIOUS!  If you are too good to park cars you don’t understand what Jesus did for you, and you don’t understand grace, humility and servant leadership.  Until you can care for a first time guest like Jesus would, I don’t want you anywhere near a LEADERSHIP TEAM!

What I am looking for are these things:

• Character – I could care less how “good”, “likable”, or “charismatic” you are.  How about respect, honor and honesty?  Doesn’t matter what your college degree says if you don’t have character.

• Passion – I want people who are passionate about every small task. This means everything. There is NOT an insignificant task in our church!  Signage, coffee, staging, children, THEY ALL MATTER!

• Teachability – Most people claim to be teachable, but only so long as it fits their agenda.  I want people who have a ravenous hunger to learn how to do things with class and precision.  Not haphazard whatever leaders!

Prayer:

God help me to be the leader who sees people as you see them.  Help me to raise the poor from the dust and to embrace the highly unlikely.

By Josh 217staff team