God, The Cosmic Referee

Many ministry leaders are very hard on themselves. We are painfully aware of the many gaps that exist in our own lives and ministries. We see the many ways we should be leading more faithfully. We heap pressure on ourselves to be ever-growing spouses, parents, communicators, counselors, writers, strategic thinkers and leaders. 

This certainly isn’t all bad. Healthy leaders are always examining their lives and all God has entrusted to them to them lead. We want to be good stewards, maximizing what has been given to us. 

The problem comes when all we’re doing is looking for flaws. When all we see are the gaps, we miss the many signs of God’s grace around us. 

Even more problematic, is our tendency to fashion God in our own image. Because we’re only looking for the flaws, we function as though He’s only looking for them too. We make God out to be a cosmic referee. Even when we sit down with our Bibles open, we read waiting for Him to blow His whistle and point out yet another area we’re not performing as He’s prescribed. 

Again, that’s not to say we don’t look for God’s correction. Correction is a way God cares for us. Correction is protection. 

AND…

Correction is certainly not the sum total of the way God wants to relate with us. 

Psalm 86:17 says, “…you, LORD, have helped and comforted me.”

Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.” 

In addition to correction…

God wants to comfort us.

God wants to encourage us.

God wants to strengthen us.

God wants to direct us.

God wants to help us.

So let’s continue to respond to God’s caring correction. But let’s also look and listen for everything God want to show us and say to us.