First, we are all grateful and are cheering on the many health care workers and government authorities, social agencies, police and fire personnel who stepped up and have been on the front lines since the onset of the pandemic. Bravo! Often though, we have forgotten another group of essential professionals. They are the ministers, pastors, church media leaders, musicians and volunteer lay leaders who have also been on those same front lines keeping our spiritual livesfocused. They have worked tireless hours to keep us pointed toward our Healer and Provider God and His promises of restoration and hope.
Spiritual leaders are essential workers.
Two of the first designated essential leaders in the Bible were Moses and Aaron. God appointed Aaron to be the head of the priesthood. As the brother of Moses, he volunteered to be the mouthpiece for Moses. In today’s vocabulary, he would be called a public relations (PR) spokesperson. Go back and read Exodus 4:10-16. Moses said to God, I am not eloquent. I’m slow at speech. I can’t lead the people. So, God graciously always provides and sent Aaron. The scriptures, in fact, tell us that Aaron was already on his way before it had even been revealed to Moses that He would be his mouthpiece.
As the story picks up in Exodus 7:1-2, God says to Moses to communicate everything He says to Aaron, and Aaron would speak to the { and the people God’s instructions and what they were to do. What an honor that must have been. We would see later in scripture (Exodus chapter 32) that Aaron had some leadership issues, though. When he was left in charge of the people and Moses had gone up the mountain to receive God’s Ten Commandments, Aaron might have been a good mouthpiece, but he failed as the definitive leader. Moses, too, would succumb to leadership issues and personal mistakes along the journey. These would result in him being denied entrance into the Promised Land. However, Moses and Aaron were God’s chosen leaders, and together they made a strong leadership team that made history. They both had special unique giftings, and neither could do the other’s job.
Essential leaders know it’s not just about them but the team that matters.
I work in the highly collaborative media and entertainment industry. Audiences who sit through the ending credits of a production project get a glimpse of the number of people it takes to produce successful media. There are many leaders on a production set who must follow, known as the crew. The project fails when part of the team is weak or fails, which has a lot to do with how crews perform. Ultimately, they are all essential to the success of the production.
The Church has many leaders too, and we, the people of the Church, are the crew. We are all God’s boots on the ground, and success and failure depend on our leadership and willingness to serve on all levels. We are called to all be responsible in our daily personal engagement. That means keeping our equipment in shape and ready to do battle. Unlike the Children of Israel who couldn’t go directly to God with their prayers and requests, we can. Jesus anointed us all as priests and mouthpieces. We are His PR spokespeople. Yet often, our timidity and lack of self-discipline keep us in fear of leadership.
God had equipped all of us for a unique journey.
There have been many times on production projects when the task seemed daunting, but with God’s guidance, they came out successful. With every project, there are always unknowns and places that present challenges. However, I have learned that these same challenges keep you sharp and prepared. God knows that too. Moses and Aaron had many, but they worked together on solving them, and when they failed, they repented and kept moving forward. God knew they weren’t fully equipped for leading what some estimate to be a million people out of slavery. Yet, as they went, they learned and grew in their skills and in trusting God. God didn’t want them to know it all or have all the answers at once. He wanted them to depend on Him.
As we move forward in this global pandemic plaque, and as uncertainties continue to throw up roadblocks, let’s continue to pray for not only social and health care essential workers but spiritual leaders. They are guiding and directing the most essential and eternal part of our lives – our souls. Let’s pray for each other. God has instructed us to be equipped in the Word and to pray at all times.
Know.
God is with you. As we all walk out this pandemic journey alongside our pastors, ministers and lay leaders into unknown places know they are experiencing the same turmoil, conflict, suffering and have uncertainties. The Bible tells us that the Children of Israel also had these same challenges. Yet God still set them free from captivity, met their daily needs and He protected them with a cloud by day for protection and pillar of fire by night. It was a freedom that took them 40 years to see finally. How long will it take us?
They also had times of celebration and joy along the way. God reminds us to find the joy and celebration in the suffering along the journey. The Children of Israel didn’t know where they were going or how to get through many of their day’s journeys. Still, they followed their essential leader, Moses. Moses listened and obeyed God (most of the time), and God provided Aaron so that they could fully understand the direction to go. Moses and Aaron’s first hashtag was #LetMyPeopleGo. It is the prayer we can pray as we continue to battle the ramifications of the pandemic and the many social and political battles in our world today. God has got our back, and He is the eternal authority of all.
Cheer on those essential spiritual leaders who you follow and pray for the Church.
