“Humble yourselves, therefore, under GOD’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
In my time in GOD’s beautiful church, I have found that all too often people step out of the boat because they’re sick and tired of the other disciples… not because their eyes are fixed on Jesus… and they land up sinking in the waves. This awesome scripture from Peter’s first epistle speaks to a few aspects of leadership and worship, leadership traits that are fundamental to solid, long-term growth and maturity, not only for ourselves, but also for the Church!
Peter reminds us of the importance of humility in response to GOD’s might. When we worship, we sometimes fall into the trap of equating ourselves to GOD. This happens when the balance is interrupted by the bias of our friend and brother in Christ. We must never forget the reverence and awe that makes worship necessary. We have access to worship because of our joint-heirship with Christ, but worship is required because of the Majesty, Mercy and Grace of GOD, through Jesus Christ. This humility also reminds us that what we have and where we are is only because of GOD’s Grace, and not because of the Law or our own abilities and works.
We then read that GOD is the one who lifts us up. GOD is the one that calls to us, from the waves, and invites us to step out. If we decide that the boat is too crowded, too smelly or too opinionated, we’ll step out before the time is right for growth and maturity. Sometimes this means waiting a few weeks; sometimes it means waiting a few years. GOD first spoke to me through this scripture three years ago… and only recently have I felt His promotion (the Message says “He’ll promote you at the right time”). It’s like GOD wants to make sure we’re in it for the long haul!
Our faith is proven when we wait on the Lord, it’s that simple. Waiting is never easy, but it’s necessary for the full measure of GOD’s blessing. When we move too soon, or in our own strength, we will only experience part of GOD’s blessing, or, occasionally, we may miss it completely.
Peter knew that waiting can often cause anxiety, which is why we read the last bit about casting these anxieties onto Christ. As kids, waiting built excitement, but as adults, waiting builds worry. We ask things like “Is it meant to be?” or “Am I doing something wrong?”. I believe this dovetails beautifully with Christ’s reminder to His disciples that they should come to Him with childlike faith. Although children are not as patient as adults, they don’t get anxious as easily, they just get really expectant! I remember, when I was little, my dad would occasionally go away on business, and He would always bring us presents when He returned. The longer we waited for his return, the bigger the gifts. I get this same picture with GOD – imagine what He has in store for us when the waiting is over!
Yet still, we doubt. So this scripture encourages us to cast these worries, doubts, questions and anxieties onto Christ. In return, He gives us faith, self-control, humility and hope.
A good leader is humble, reliant on GOD’s providence and promotion and leaves the worrying in Christ’s hands.
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