"Lessons Learned"

  You have this idea and have spoken about it to others. They too think it is good and needs to be implemented! Yes, this would be good for the church so off we go and present it to the elders. Everything is laid out showing the good and the need. We leave the meeting and then...MOLASSES! It seems everything is swamped with molasses especially the elders. Days go by, weeks go by and nothing! It builds within your heart frustrations and eventually a bad attitude toward those who watch over our souls.

  We start accusing the elders to others that they haven't done one thing with the idea. Now our frustrations are being passed on and it starts to affect others. The elders are the blame for such. But wait, what is really going on? Have we ever thought or do we believe the Lord is at work? The delay teaches patience and love. The delay teaches me to have better understanding. The delay is generally wisdom from the elders, trying to look at the end result of something before it starts and it takes time and prayer. The Lord is in control and all this exposes our inner heart attitudes and desires. The Lord is exposing our weaknesses and we learn that how quickly, how easily we are stirred to a bad attitude. "But this is too long? Don't the elders care?" That's it...they do care. That's why when elders are appointed, they are spiritual minded men, not a board of directors or bosses telling others what to do.

  Remember, when we think we have such good ideas that need urgent attention, the Lord is at work! Remember the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-24)? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control? What is really being taught by the Lord? All of this is teaching us to lean and put our faith in the Lord, not our ingenuity! Then how do the elders learn the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control? God gives them US!