Like Grasshoppers

"So they brought to the Israelites an unfavorable report of the land they had spied out, saying, 'The land we have gone through as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people that we saw in it are of great size. There we saw the Nephilim... and to ourselves we seemed like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them."

(Numbers 13:32-33)

God has led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt... through the wilderness... and they're poised to enter the land that GOD PROMISED THEM. Moses sent out 12 spies - leaders from each of the 12 tribes. They were to spend 40 days surveying the land... then come back with a report. They did just that - even bringing with them some of the fruit of the land! But the majority of the people who went felt overwhelmed by the impending endeavor. "The people are too strong. The towns are too fortified. There are BIG OBSTACLES ahead! We can't do it!"

Caleb, however, from the tribe of Issachar, disagreed. "Let's do it! We can overcome those obstacles!" The others didn't agree. In fact, they were quite intimidated about the proposal. Then they changed their original report to add that "the land devours its inhabitants" (interesting point, given the fact they saw people flourishing with plenty!). AND... (here's the real crux of the matter)... "to ourselves we seemed like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them." Wow. Literally, "We felt so insignificant & helpless there." Double wow.

I do not think it's a coincidence that this scripture reading comes the day before our Administrative Council reviews the report of the steering committee that's been "surveying the landscape" of our satellite ministry proposal. It's an opportunity that I truly believe God has been preparing us for, as a church, over the past 3+ years. As we near the "border" of the "Promised Land" some folks seem to be overwhelmed by the challenges that lie ahead. "It'll cost too much. We don't have enough people willing to help. The plan is not clear. It's too uncertain. Many have failed in the past."

Yes, there will be challenges. But I believe (and so do many others) that God has indeed given us this amazing opportunity. The question is, will we allow ourselves to feel like grasshoppers - insignificant & unprepared against the daunting challenges that lie ahead? Or will we move ahead with bold faith, trusting where we feel God leading us?

(By the way, the general population of Israel listened to the majority (the "grasshoppers") and hesitated. God saw fit to not only remove all of them from leadership... but wait for 40 years until they all died off, before taking Caleb & the younger generation into the Promised Land. Which was God's call in the first place.)

I pray this church doesn't have to wait 40 years to begin what God's calling us to do today.

Removed

[From March 9, 2009]

"When (Jesus) had entered, he said to them, 'Why do you make commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.' And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was."

(Mark 5:39-40)

Jairus, a leader in the synagogue, came to Jesus begging that He save his daughter, who was at the point of death. Before Jesus was able to make it to Jairus' house, however, word came that the girl was dead. Upon arrival, there was a big commotion! Sorrow abounded. Jesus offered a word of hope: "She's not dead - just sleeping!" Jairus believed enough to seek out Jesus. What was he thinking when he heard these words of the Master? ("Could it be?!? Is there a chance?!?"). We know what the rest of the room thought: "THEY LAUGHED AT HIM." (v.40).

Wow. Laughing at the Savior of the World. IN HIS FACE, no less! Why? They couldn't possibly conceive what He said. So they laughed. Wow. Did Jesus try to argue or reason with the scoffers? Did he work to convince them he was right? No. He simply kicked them out of the room. All of them. Time to leave. Period. Only Jairus and his wife were permitted to stay there with Jesus, the disciples, and the body of the girl (well, it was soon to be more than just a body again!).

This wasn't the only time in scripture that a point is made about the power of faith and belief being directly related to the power of blessing by God. When he was back in his hometown, Jesus couldn't do many works of power "because of their unbelief" (Mark 6:1-6). Faith, belief and trust become the wiring that connect the POWER SOURCE (God!) to the object of need.

This seems to be a key insight for leaders in the church today. it's always good to have a variety of opinions and perspectives, sure. But when it gets down to "crunch time," when it's crucial for ministry/healing/new life... it's not helpful to have doubters and scoffers around. Without being disrespectful or rude, simply put them out of the room. Jesus knew the wisdom in this. He was then able to bring new life to the little girl.

PRAYER: Lord, give me the wisdom to know when to apply this to my leadership at church... and in my own life. AMEN.