I attended the Michigan Christian Convention over the weekend. It was a great lineup of speakers, all speaking to the theme, “Immeasurably More.” Ephesians 3:20-21 was the core verse which reads, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Toward the end of one of the messages, the speaker, Ben Cachiras, from Mountain Christian Church in Maryland, grabbed a broom and started balancing it on his hand. He asked the crowd if they had ever tried that, and most of us answered we had.
Ben’s message was on the topic of, “God can do immeasurably more through your leadership.” And the point he was making with the broom was that to keep it balanced on your hand, you had to look at the broom head. If you take your eyes off the broom head, it will fall. While you are looking at the broom head, there is still work to do to keep it balanced. You have to move your hand back and forth.
As Christians, we have to keep our eyes focused on Jesus. And as we do, there is still work to be done to keep him elevated in his rightful spot in our lives and our church. We have to maneuver around temptations and obstacles. When we keep our focus in the right place we can do that.
Christian leaders may have to work harder to keep the broom balanced. Ben said things like, “Get off your gift and lead.” “Lead out of your blessing, not for a blessing.” He also asked the question, “Is your God too small?” As we enter this time of unveiling a new vision, mission, and core values for our church, we need everyone to step in and engage in whatever way God is calling you to. If He is calling you to leadership, it is time to remove the obstacles of thinking a project is too big and too challenging. We serve a big God who can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. It is time to start asking, dreaming, and acting. Andy B.