I want to share some thoughts today about the role of leaders and maturity in Church. I remember one day, when I was complaining, because I had to clean the poo (the dirt) of our two little cats we just got. Oh Lord… what a job. Every morning I would get up and there was poo everywhere. Under the sofa… on the sofa… you name it. And you know I wanted to become a big preacher and Apostle and I really was not much into cleaning the dirt…

But one of these mornings while cleaning it all up the Holy Spirit spoke to me very clearly and said: “If you ever want to become a leader in my Kingdom you better learn to clean up the mess, because this you will face daily as a Leader in my Body.” Ooooops… that was not what I expected!

I have learnt over the years that this is really true. As a leader you will often take the blame for things and in helping to mature the children of God, there is a lot of stuff to deal with… If people come into the Kingdom it is really great and you rejoice, like when a Baby is born… but then the diaper changing starts and you have to help them become “perfect in Christ”, like Paul said:

Colossians 1, 28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. (NIV)

Sometimes when I see the flaws in people, I just want to give up in despair… and hey… I am not perfect either! But when I see someone change and really becoming a vessel that God can use, I just stand back in awe and think that it really is worth the labor and struggles!

Let’s go on helping others grow in maturity and keep up the good fight!

Some thoughts about maturity versus immaturity… do you see yourself?