Tamed or Equipped
One of my favorite quotes is in chapter one of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson. (I’m glad he gave a shorter title to his newest book Primal) The quote isn’t from Mark Batterson but Antione de Saint-Exupery: “You are responsible forever for what you have tamed.“
This is a very challenging/humbling statement for any leader. When I think of something that is tamed, I think of cages and/or lap dogs. Not exactly what I envision for those that God has entrusted me to lead. There are definitely areas within any man’s life that needs taming: our tongues, sinful, selfish and lustful desires, anger, etc. These are things that we can see the Holy Spirit take care of through personal discipleship, accountability, bible study, scripture memory, basically any corporate or private disciplines.
What about that part of our heart that wants to wildly pursue and serve God? As a pastor, I wonder how many times I may have tamed this area of someone’s heart. Whether through actions, words, lack of follow up, I could be unintentionally or intentionally taming people that aren’t mine to tame.
This thought has really led me to ask myself two hard questions about what we do as a ministry.
1) Am I taming or equipping people? As a pastor or teacher I’m responsible for equipping the body to build the church. Ephesians 4:12
Not everyone will find their fit within our ministries, some may need to be equipped for a future ministry, some sent out to new places for missions and church planting. Am I holding on to (caging) people whose places may be elsewhere.
Our pastor said recently, “God takes our best and puts them on the mission field.” This can’t be true if we aren’t willing to let go and send those who God is calling.
2) Do our systems challenge people to conform or become? Having people buy into your system is a great thing, but sometimes people (along with ourselves) get so caught up in the system we forget the goal. We want followers of Christ, sold out to the Gospel, not people addicted to or caught up in our process.
How do I equip? It is easier to equip when you are committed to listening. Everyone is unique and your best leaders need your discerning ear to hear what God has put on their heart.
How do I challenge people to become? I’m committed to challenging people to go where God wants them, not necessarily where I need them (it is awesome when those two things are the same). We need people to stop asking themselves “How do I fit in here?” and start asking God “Where are you shaping me to fit?”
