READ: Leviticus 21:17-24
“Charity…Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4,7
A priest in the Old Testament was not supposed to have boils. Boils represent unhealed wounds. Leadership is accompanied by wounds, offences and pain. You cannot allow the wounds of leadership to discolour your attitude.
There are many unexplained events in the life of a Christian leader. I remember when two of my young pastors died suddenly within three weeks of each other. One was twenty-seven years old and the other was thirty-eight years old. What possible explanation was there to such an event?
What explanation could the church give when James, the brother of John, was killed by Herod? Didn’t the early church need the contribution of James to build a solid foundation for the church? How could God allow such a thing? In spite of the inexplicable occurrences of this life, a leader must continue to trust.
As human beings manifest their nature of betrayal, ungratefulness and forgetfulness, a leader can gradually become bitter towards the flock. I have learnt to forgive and move on.
Without a sweet spirit I will not be pleasing to God. Every bitter experience is a test of my ability to walk in love. I always pray that I will pass these tests. If you fail to walk in love, your ministry will amount to nothing in the presence of God. A bitter person has a discoloured and distorted message. Do not let your pain prevent you from ministering God’s love to people.