Set It

He (King Rehoboam) did evil because he had not set 
his heart on seeking the LORD.     2 Chronicles 12:14

I don't think that I am an evil person. I am far from perfect (ask anyone who knows me even a little bit), but I don't believe that I am inherently awful and ill-willed. The scary thing however, is that the slippery slope from "not bad" to evil isn't that far of a journey. Decisions made with a lack of conscience will certainly expedite that progression, but that isn't the root of the problem. When we choose to passionately seek out anything except God we are on a dangerous pathway. Our desire for satisfying personal ambitions, pleasing other people, or finding personal happiness can be toxic when we remove a desire for God from the heart of our search.

I don't believe that all of my decisions will be right or work out perfectly, but I do believe that my motives will be more pure when I search for God above all else. This isn't always easy, but by regularly questioning my desires and intentionally striving to honor God I can feel more secure in the outcome of my decisions.

Costly Leadership

In 2 Chronicles 35, King Josiah has expended great effort in restoring God's temple, reading the Law and re-instituting sacrifices to God. In verse 7 of that chapter it says, "Josiah provided for all the lay people who were there a total of thirty thousand lambs and goats for the Passover offerings, and also three thousand cattle—all from the king's own possessions." 

As I read that passage this morning, the thought was reinforced to me that true godly leaders must be ready to make personal sacrifices. The obvious (and yet not practiced enough) sacrifice of finances speaks volumes about the condition of the heart of a leader. There are other areas of cost as well: personal ambition, sleep, apathy, personal time, popularity, energy, focus and prayer.

The question for all Christ-followers is the same: are we willing to count the cost of following (and leading) and then obediently pay it? When leaders are eager to do that we will start to see a movement in God's church that cannot be stopped, but will certainly continue to be replicated.