When I was a child, one of the things I enjoyed was watching my Grandpa build things. Grandpa was a pastor but he also enjoyed woodworking. He had a small workshop behind his house where he worked on his projects. One of the things that always fascinated me was his tools. He had everything thing he would need to complete any project he was working on. If he wanted to build something and do it the right way, he needed the proper tools. That is true for anyone of us in whatever job we may do. If we want to do it the right way we need the proper tools.

I learned that lesson again recently. In addition to serving as a pastor, I also work at a local Italian restaurant. One of my responsibilities is to roll the pizza crusts for the person who then makes the pizzas. The restaurant has a rolling machine that enables me to do it quickly and consistently (on a busy night I can roll as many as 40 crusts per hour). It is vital for me to have that machine if I want to do my job well. Last Friday it broke down, I had to roll the pizza crusts by hand. I did not have the proper tool to do my job and as a result the crusts did not turn out the way they should have or as fast as they were needed.

I was reading recently a promise God gave to Israel thru the prophet Jeremiah...  

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD..." Jeremiah 29:11-14a  

                                                

 

Knowing that God has a purpose for our lives is exciting. It is even more exciting to understand and embrace that purpose. God has given us the proper tools to discover and accept his purpose for us. Those tools include prayer and the Bible. As you use those tools, I pray that God would reveal his purpose for you.

God's amazing promise.

    I thought I might share with you one of my favorite Bible verses.  One that has been of particular help to me is found in the Old Testament book of Joshua. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 In this scripture passage Moses has passed away and God has appointed Joshua to assume the position of leader in his place. He is now the one who will continue to lead God's people to the promised land. He would become not only their national leader but their spiritual one as well.  Needless to say there was an enormous amount of pressure now resting solely on Joshua. But God promises Joshua he will not be alone, God would be with him.

    When you begin to feel overwhelmed with the pressures that inevitably come from being in a leadership position,  remember the promise God gave to Joshua. It is for us as well. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of leadership, whether at home or on the job, etc., remember God has given us the promise of His presence and His help. All we need to do is ask him.