Lacking Leadership?
To Titus, a true son in our common faith . . . . For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you . . . . (Titus 1:4-5 NKJV)
The church at Crete had its share of challenges. For starters, it had a very immoral reputation (Titus 1:12-13). To make matters worse, an unusually large amount of false teachers plagued this particular region (Titus 1:10-11). These factors took their toll on the congregations at Crete, which prompted Paul to station Titus there with the task of setting things in order.
How was he supposed to meet this goal? The first order of business in restoring order was to appoint elders. Notice that Titus wasn't expected to run around and fix every problem on his own but was called to raise up spiritual leaders. There's an inseparable connection between leadership and order. Where there is strong leadership, there will also be a strong sense of order. Leaders are needed to identify problems, understand the best way to correct them, and maintain a presence that prevents problems from popping up again. No leadership, no order.
Many times our lives seem to be a bit out of order and we can't figure out why. We expend every effort to stay ahead, yet we still feel like we're falling behind. Nothing works the way we want it to, and our frustrations mount. May I submit that a stronger sense of the Lord's leadership is needed in these moments? A deeper sense of His leading presence is the only thing that can correct both external and internal problems.
Sadly, we're the ones who limit His leadership by not submitting and surrendering to Him. Often we'd rather go about our day calling the shots. As a result, our lives are 'out-of-order.' Let's avoid this by inviting and yielding to the Lord's leadership in our hearts. For where there's strong leadership, order is sure to follow.
DIG - What is the connection between leadership and order?
DISCOVER - When have you suffered due to a lack of leadership?
DISPLAY - Ask God to give you a heart that can be led.
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At the age of 24, Bob Coy left a coveted position in the music industry to serve as an associate pastor with Calvary Chapel of Las Vegas. In 1985, Bob and his wife, Diane, moved to Fort Lauderdale and began Calvary Chapel of Fort Lauderdale. As senior pastor, he has become well known for his unique style in expounding the Scriptures, making them come alive and relate to those of us living in the 21st century. His teaching style emphasizes the believer's "life application" of the highest standards of God's truth while his delivery captures the loving heart of God's Spirit.
Pastor Bob has had the rare privilege of watching God's miraculous hand move in the individual lives of those in the fellowship as well as the corporate body as a whole. From the first meeting in a living room with four in attendance, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale has now become home to over 17,000 men and women from the tri-county area, and ranks as the eighth largest church in the country. Though many have tried to attribute its rapid growth to numerous reasons, no one is more surprised by the phenomenon than Pastor Bob, who gives total credit and all the glory to God alone.
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