Snapshot
👀: Original post.
My Dear Friend,
May I present my thesis: Leaders can’t lead effectively without assistants assisting excellently! My two favorite professors, Dr. Life and Dr. Bible, will now take over our class.
Dr. Life will address us first. “American presidents need an entire staff of assistants to function well (and sometimes they still don’t function). Doctors need PAs and nurses. Professors need Lecturers and graduate assistants. Head coaches need assistant coaches. Political candidates need campaign managers. Supreme Court justices need clerks. Senators need staffers and pages. Scientists need fellows and lab technicians. General contractors need sub-contractors and skilled laborers. And this list could go on. But you and I have things to do, so we’ll leave it at that.” Dr. Life may now step away from the lectern.
Dr. Bible will now rise to address our class, citing his findings and sources that support this thesis. “Abraham needed Eliezer to find a bride for his son, Isaac (Genesis 24). Moses needed Aaron and Hur to hold up his weary hands (Exodus 17:8-13). Israel’s kings needed armorbearers whenever they went into battle (1 Samuel 16:21). David needed his mighty men to build his kingdom (1 Chronicles 12:1-38, esp. vv. 21-22). Paul needed Tychicus, Luke, and Epaphras to serve Christ well in Rome (Colossians 4:7, 12-14). And Peter needed John Mark to discharge his apostolic responsibilities (1 Peter 5:13). And, yes, these illustrations and references could continue. But the point has been sufficiently made.” But Dr. Bible is not finished yet.
He adds, “Let’s explore a more specific and detailed example: Elijah on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:41-46). This was the scene of one of the greatest victories by one of God’s greatest prophets after he had clashed with one of Israel’s greatest enemies in one of its greatest times of need. Ahab and Jezebel’s promotion of idolatry had brought great drought upon the land and a great deliverance was needed.
“So, the great man himself, Elijah, took center stage. And, as we all know, persistently and powerfully prayed in a ‘great rain’ that ended the drought and began a season of revival in the land. But he didn’t do it alone.
“As in the multiple examples above, this leader needed assistance and found it in a very capable, though anonymous, ‘servant’ (v. 43). Who he was, we don’t know. What he was, ah, that we know, and know well. So, let’s describe this unnamed assistant. What was he like, what did he do, how was he of crucial service to God’s man and cause?
“He was vigilant. He constantly watched the horizon to see how his master’s fervent prayers had changed actual conditions. He ‘went up, and looked’ to see if the much-desired rain had arrived (v. 43).
“He was truthful. When asked what conditions were like, he gave an honest report, neither twisting nor sugar-coating the message to please his master: ‘There is nothing’ (v. 43).
“He was obedient. When directed, he followed directions. Elijah asked him, ‘Go again,’ and he promptly went again to see if anything was happening (v. 43).
“He was humble. Everyone was talking about his master due to the stunning exploit Elijah had just wrought on Carmel - calling down divine fire and executing Baal’s prophets, all in one day! No one bothered to mention this servant, his name isn’t even inscribed in the biblical record. Clearly, he was comfortable being publicly invisible, far from the limelight, unnoticed. (But God saw him, that’s why we’re studying him!)
“He endured. ‘Seven times’ Elijah asked him to return to view the western horizon (v. 43), when each time it seemed an ever more fruitless, futile, and foolish mission. Thus, he did not stop short in his demanding divine duty.
“He was faithful. He did not forsake his master when mounting evidence shouted in his heart that his master’s prayers had not been answered and would never be answered. Thus, he stayed by Elijah’s side, serving faithfully, even when Elijah looked embarrassingly defeated and abandoned by God.
“He did not complain. Scripture does not state he spoke even one word of objection or criticism when Elijah’s actions (placing his face between his knees) seemed strange, his persistence seemed fanatical, and his failure seemed inevitable and imminent.
“His faith was perfect. ‘Seven’ is the number of completion or perfection. This servant apparently realized the adage, ‘Practice makes perfect,’ because he kept practicing his obedience and faith. And as he kept at it, obediently searching for evidence of God’s answer ‘seven’ times, his faith and patience were being developed. By ‘the seventh time,’ when he saw the ‘little cloud,’ it was finished, complete, perfect (v. 44).
“He was Elijah’s equal. Elijah’s servant was fully his spiritual equal. The two walked together, worked together, suffered together, and won together, in perfect unity with each other and the Lord - in one spirit, one heart, one faith, one strength, one purpose. And as they were inseparable in trial, so they were also in triumph. Thus, this extraordinary servant, though unnamed in the record and thus unhonored by us, will share in Elijah’s eternal honors and rewards for his faithful assistance of the great man. Jesus implied as much in Matthew 10:40-42.”
With that, Dr. Bible’s lecture is concluded and he will now yield the lectern. If I may, I’ll step to the front of the class and speak a few words to help us apply this vitally important lesson to our lives.
The truth be told, very few of us are called to ostensible leadership. The “apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers” Paul wrote of are a micro-minority of the Lord’s flock. If these “Elijahs” are to win great victories for Christ - calling down divine fire to consume the sin of nations, praying in mighty rains of the Holy Spirit to revive and raise up Christ’s followers - they need great assistance. And that will not only come from God’s Spirit and angels but also from great assistants.
So, wherever you are and whatever you are doing today in Christ’s body, let me lovingly challenge you to emulate Elijah’s servant, whose godliness was every bit as wonderful as his master’s!
Be a “servant” where God has placed you, serving your leaders' needs and plans selflessly. Be vigilant, ever watching over your spiritual life and ever expecting to see God’s hand. Be truthful, never twisting information but always presenting the facts honestly, as they are. Be obedient, take orders well and respond quickly with a “can do” attitude (Philippians 4:13). Be humble, realizing God knows your value and sees your obedience, and that’s all that ultimately matters.
Endure, never stopping until your work is finished and your trial ended. Be faithful, loyally supporting your leaders even when their prayers look unanswered and God-given visions look impossible. Never complain, because murmuring is contagious, disqualifying, and deadly. Let God perfect your patience, however many “seven times” it may take (see James 1:2-4). And your reward?
You will be your godly leaders' spiritual equal, sharing his (or her) spiritual maturity, closeness to Christ, and joyous victory. No carnal Christian, persecuting pagan, or devilish demon will ever be able to steal this great joy from you: You walked together, worked together, suffered together, and won together, all in perfect unity! And remember this: there was another powerfully present and active One sharing all your trials and triumphs. So, whatever honor should come of your victory, quickly and fully redirect it to Him! “Soli Deo Gloria!”
So, there it is. My favorite professors, Dr. Life and Dr. Bible, have spoken and their lectures agree: leaders can’t lead effectively without assistants assisting excellently! Yes, this piece is a want ad: “MINISTRY ASSISTANCE NEEDED!” Your pastors, elders, deacons, evangelists, prophets, missionaries, and teachers are waiting anxiously to see if you will respond.
Watching for a response,
