I was sitting in my hotel room in Chicago and thinking about what I call "the mess" that I wrestle with in the world of Christiandom- Leaders falling, so many different divisions, beliefs, but most centrally focus on God and Jesus and what He did as the Gospel. Out of the silence the Lord does what He does best, He spoke to me just as I needed to hear it. In my dad's voice I heard:
"Nobody has me figured out Brandon. Just do what I want you to do."
I suppose I was questioning my own personal mess where I too have fallen and screwed up vs. answering the call I feel upon my life. Natural instinct would tell me to run and not answer the call... to not be like the so many leaders that have fallen. But now I see it differently, funny how a simple word from God can turn a perspective and change your heart.
In the parable of the Prodigal Son - Luke 15:11-32 we're all so familiar with, we see the young son and the eldest son who remained. Neither son really knew their father, though they lived with him most of their lives. The younger one who spent everything he had knew the inheritance and spent it wildly, but he thought that his father would have him only as a servant, when in fact.. none of the 'stuff' mattered to the father. The father's inheritance was the promise in his sons to rule his house after him. The father loved his son and his heart was for his son. The older brother who had remained, didn't realize the inheritance and never laid claim to it even though he could have at any time... it was his! He was so busy looking at his other brother who had fallen he was blinded by the bitterness. Neither brother knew everything about their father, the father's personality, his forgiveness, his love for his sons... the thoughts that he had for his sons.. to bless them and for their future. It seems we only know a facet of God, each in the way its been given. And if you are like me, you hold on to that with all your might, its life and a burning fire within you. I was like the older brother who remained in many aspects toward others who have fallen in leadership lately. I didn't want to be like them. In fact almost didn't want to be involved at all because of it. Its easy to become angry and embittered against the unrighteousness amongst the righteous, but we must not allow it to control our lives and cement our footsteps and distance us from the call of God.
