Deal with others well (1)

When Miriam criticised her brother Moses because of the wife he chose, God gave her leprosy. What did Miriam do wrong? It started with her and Aaron making fun of Moses' foreign wife, but it seems that this wasn't even her actual problem: '"Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?" they asked. "Hasn't he also spoken through us"' (Numbers 12:2 NIV)? Her real issue was jealousy. She wanted just as much recognition and honour as her little brother. She wasn't happy with the role God had given her and that led her to greed.

When others around us succeed it can be easy to think: 'Hey! I'm just as good as them. Maybe even better. It should be me standing at the front, leading/teaching/getting some praise.' Are we being disrespectful of our church leadership because we think we could be doing a better job? Even if we do think there's room for improvement, that doesn't give us free rein to disrespect our leaders. Given the amount of hard work that goes on behind the highlight reels for most in-the-spotlight people, it's probably not fair to assume we deserve their place instead.

Leadership is a role that needs God's blessing to be done well. Let's drop unnecessary criticism and pray for more blessing instead.



So what now? Your church/group leaders have a hard job. But they, like you, are not perfect. Treat them well. Why not commit to praying one day a week for them.





— SCRIPTURE —

'Hasn't he also spoken through us?' Numbers 12:2 NIV
— SOULFOOD —

Matt 5:3, 2 Sam 7:18-29, Ps 40:17