TODAY’S SCRIPTURE Ephesians 1:3-14
We tend to be people who like patterns. It’s easier to follow a trail that someone else has blazed. And, let’s be honest, there’s no point in reinventing the wheel every time either! When it comes to elders, we often have a mindset about how elders should look and act and work. Many elders are the second or third generation of men in their families to serve as elders. What a powerful heritage! But we must be careful to let each elder serve in the best way he can serve.
In Psalm 78, Asaph is recounting the ways God has blessed Israel. He says that one of the great blessings God gave his people was King David. He chose David. Every elder may be chosen by an individual congregation, but if a man meets the qualifications God has given, then it may properly be said that God chose him even before the church did! God chose David and took him from among the sheepfolds. He chose David from his environment. Men from all walks of life can serve as elders. Doctors, truck drivers, lawyers, farmers, business owners, CEOs, and blue-collar workers can all serve the family of God effectively.
What does God do with such different backgrounds of men? Asaph says that what God used in David was his upright heart and skillful hands. Elders must be men of integrity and use the talents they naturally possess to serve God’s flock. Some elders are “up-front” men while others work well one-on-one behind the scenes, but both are vital. Some elders are visionary dreamers, while others are detail-oriented planners, but both work together to achieve success. And above all, elders must be men of integrity. As King David’s life shows, that does not mean they are perfect! It means they are men who are open about their own walk with the Lord and lead by their example, even when that means repenting and renewing their spiritual lives. Success as an elder is found in walking with God’s people and shepherding them throughout their days.
Today I will…remember my elders are human. I will promise to forgive them when they falter and appreciate the many ways in which they serve the church family.