1 Corinthians 4:1-4
1-4 Don’t imagine us leaders to be something we aren’t. We are servants of Christ, not his masters. We are guides into God’s divine secrets, not security guards posted to protect them. The requirements for a good guide are reliability and accurate knowledge. It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in popular opinion. I don’t even rank myself. Comparisons in these matters are pointless. I’m not aware of anything that would disqualify me from being a good guide for you, but that doesn’t mean much. The Master makes that judgment.
Paul has compared the people in the congregation to workers in a field but he reminds them that it is God who gives the actual growth of the plant. He compares them to blocks in a building but the foundation is really God, and then he compares them to a temple that God protects and the Holy Spirit inhabits. Now he switches back to talking about the leaders, the evangelists that led the people in the congregations to faith. Leaders are not to be put on a pedestal but should be recognized as guides that lead us on our faith journey. The qualification for the guide is that the person be reliable and knowledgeable. No matter who we are, there is almost for certain someone who is watching us and whose life we impact. My teenage sons wanted their hair to be cut so they looked like their soccer heroes at school. We all have people we want to emulate. Hopefully you have had a spiritual person who has impacted your life!
A “stubby” short prayer that ties in with this comes from Matthew 14:22-33. The disciples cross the Sea of Galilee in a boat one night ahead of Jesus. A storm blows up and suddenly they see Jesus come walking towards them on the water like a ghost. They are petrified. Jesus tells them not to be afraid because it is him. Peter responds, if it is you, tell me to come to you. Jesus says “come” and Peter steps out of the boat and walks toward Jesus. But then Peter sees the wind, looses courage and starts to sink. The stubby prayer? “Lord, save me.”
I suspect for many of us, we are aware of that little voice in our ear telling us that either we are poor disciples following our leaders but not quite in their footsteps, or that we are poor leaders not worthy or ready to be followed. Paul tells us not to listen to the voice of fear and condemnation that would discourage us. The only being that can truly evaluate us is God. He is the Master. It is Jesus calling us to walk on water and saying, “Do not be afraid, it is I.” And it is he who lifts us up when we lose focus and confidence and sink. He sees and he cares. Blessings.
On the Way to Wonder 