Making Unpopular Decisions

This past week, I buried my mother-in-law who died suddenly. Not only are my wife and I dealing with the grief, we are also dealing with trying to take care of my father-in-law long-distance (Florida). They both were adverse to lawyers, writing things down, etc. Not only is there no will but my wife is having to deal with a father who has dementia (combative, forgetful, belligerent, etc.).  The financial affairs are a mess and my wife is having to make decisions that are extremely unpopular with her father.  But decisions have to be made by my wife that have his best interests in mind--even if he doesn't see or accept it.

I am reminded that this is often what spiritual leadership is about: making decisions that are not always popular and accepted.

Many years ago, I played on a worship team that had a motto of "Playing for an audience of One." We even had t-shirts made with that saying.  When it comes to making decisions, we are to have the same focus--"What is God's desire/will?"  Nothing else matters.

Henry Blackaby defines spiritual leadership as leading people to where God wants them to be, not where they want to go.  Without true spiritual leadership, Moses would never have led the Israelites to the Promised Land because they kept whining about wanting to return to Egypt. Without true spiritual leadership, Jesus would never have gone to the cross because His followers wanted to crown Him the political king.  Without true spiritual leadership, Paul would never have confronted the carnal Corinthian church because the people seemed quite content to wallow in the mud of their fleshly pursuits.

Spiritual leadership with backbone can come from two sources: (a) a stubborn, prideful spirit, or, (b) a resolve born out of a conviction that this is what God wants.  Guess which option glorifies God?

Does your work seek to please God and God alone, or is it to satisfy some innate need to achieve results that others will approve of?  We are to serve for an audience of One.  We are to lead for an audience of One. 

Our only desire should be to hear Him say to us: "Well done good and faithful servant."

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