Stop Waiting for People to Catch Your Vision

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My daily Bible reading brought me to I Samuel 14 today, Jonathan's victory over the Philistines at Michmash. Those bad guys were harassing the Hebrews so severely, everyone was hiding out in caves, thickets, wherever they could keep their families safe and alive. 

While King Saul was hanging out under a pomegranate tree with his six hundred men, waiting for something to happen, Jonathan and his young armor bearer made things happen.  I find some noteworthy encouragement in this passage:

1. Jonathan didn't get discouraged because no one else had caught his vision.  He didn't despair because of the few number of supporters he had (namely, one). He said to his buddy, "Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised (Philistines); it  may be that the Lord will work for us. For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few."

I love the response of his armor bearer: "Do all that is in your heart...I am with you." (I Sam. 14:7). No checking the budget. No "what-if's". Just trust in the man whom he knows is trusting in God.
 
2. Jonathan, with his armor-bearer following, climbed on his hands and knees toward the Philistine garrison. Without delving into the technical and historical reasons why this was significant, I know one thing: an effective leader must approach everything from a posture of humility. People don't seem to "get" you? Get on your hands and knees. Keep plodding forward, meekly, knowing success depends on God, not the number of supporters. Guard against bitterness when you feel alone in your passion to serve and give to those in need.


If you read the story, you know that Jonathan's courageous actions inspired the Israelites to rise and overthrow the enemy.


Before Dave and I began as leaders of WNC, I remember asking Steve Stewart of Impact Nations how to go about getting our congregation to catch our vision for being a church dedicated to helping the poor (he was formerly a successful church planter). He said, "You don't try to get people to catch a vision. You just graciously say, 'This is what we're all about; you are free to follow or go find where you fit.'" 


I like that. It's not a haughty, my-way-or-the-highway attitude, but rather, a humble submission of our vision to the people, giving them the freedom to take it or leave it. It means we can be like Jonathan, moving forward without the restraint of bitterness that so easily comes when we place undue expectations on people who don't share what is in our hearts.


And freedom is what the Kingdom of God is all about, right? We all are free to love, free to serve, free to follow where Jesus leads.


Here we go!


(P.S. We are extremely grateful for the support and enthusiasm of the people at WNC when it comes to caring for and serving those in need. Go YOU!)