What does God have in mind for us?

Great quote from Henry Blackaby's book, "What The Spirit is Saying To The Churches"...

"God is at work around us, and to accomplish this work He personally communicates His will to His people, inviting each church to join in his activity in specific ways. It is not for us to dream our own dreams of what we want to do for God. This is never the pattern of Scriptures. God already knows what He is purposing to do through those He calls to Himself. And He's waiting for us to adjust our lives to His purposes so He can work powerfully through us to redeem our lost world."

and here's the kicker...

"When we hear His call and respond appropriately, there will be NO LIMIT to what God can and will do through His people."

This morning, I spent some time dreaming again about the future of The Bridge, but more than ever before, I want to pursue God's dreams--not my own. Ever stop to wonder what He has in mind for us?

More Blackaby...

"If Jesus provides the model for spiritual leadership, then the key is not for leaders to develop visions and to set the direction for their organizations. The key is to obey and to preserve everything the Father reveals to them of his will. Ultimately, the Father is the leader. God has the vision of what He wants to do. God does not ask leaders to dream big dreams for him or to solve problems that confront them. He asks leaders to walk with him so intimately that, when he reveals what is on his agenda, they will immediately adjust their lives to his will and the results will bring glory to God."

Criticism

I love this quote by Henry Blackaby, in his book Spiritual Leadership:

"Criticism has its most devastating effect upon the immature and the unsure."

How true this is! At times, I've been guilty of the IMMATURE part, without a doubt. When I carry my feelings on my shoulder, it's easy for one challenging word from a friend to offend me, wound me, or knock me off course. That happens all too often when I am not actively growing in my relationship with Christ. I get it.

But the second one hits even closer to home: UNSURE. To the leader who is prone to be a people-pleaser, criticism can be devastating (as Blackaby says). You want so badly for people to follow you, respect you, love you, come to your church, read your book, and so on... So, as long as that stuff matters to you, you're at the mercy of the feedback. If they're happy, you're happy. You need the praise to affirm yourself. You long for the compliments, for without them, you are left with a bunch of "what ifs"...

What if they leave?
What if they stop giving?
What if they don't believe in me anymore?
What if our relationship changes because of this conflict?
What if I'm wrong about this decision, after all?
What if I'm about to blow it?
What if our church collapses?
...Ceases to exist?
...Falls off the face of the earth?!?

But the real question should always be, "What did God say to me?" If I know that, I can lead well. And if I don't know what He's saying, I better find out! Whatever it takes. And until then, whatever the crowd says is meaningless--good or bad. Praise or criticism.

Maybe Solomon said it best, "Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you."(Proverbs 9:8)