Numbers 8
Good morning you guys. Its funny how sometimes I read the chapter and take notes as I write and then I wonder what in the world I could learn from this particular chapter? And I pray, Lord what is it in this chapter that you can teach me. Today is one of those days when nothing really jumped out at me. But after praying this is what I would like to share.
I like how when God called the Levites to serve at the tent of meeting. There was a community of support. There were leaders over them who supervised them, and there was the community who came alongside them and even laid their hands on them as part of the preparation process. Plus the Levites themselves had a responsibility of things to do to help themselves be prepared to serve the Lord.
When God calls us to serve, we should not be “Lone Rangers.”. And I see Lone Rangers who don't want to be accountable to anyone except themselves and God. It sounds admirable but God called us to be a part of the body of Christ, working together, and not separate from each other.
If we feel called into a ministry, I feel it should go something like this:
1. You should share your vision or calling with the church leadership so that those who know you can confirm your calling and confirm your gifts. Plus they can be a great prayer support and encouragement. For example, when I was asked to be the executive director at Edinboro Camp, I was resistant. I never desired the call. But I went to five spiritual leaders and asked them to pray for a week and I would pray for a week and then asked for their feedback. After a week all confirmed my gifts for this position and God also confirmed it in my heart. There's great value in having the support of the leadership within the Body of Christ.
2. Now comes the equipping process. The time God spends to prepare us and equip us for our calling. It may mean furthering our education in a classroom. It may mean learning another language. It may mean serving under a mentor for a short or long period of time so as to be trained. It does mean seeking God daily in his word so as to be spiritually trained and equipped for service. It does mean being committed to the church for ongoing support and encouragement. I like having the congregation lay hands on someone and pray. I feel it shows: a. Their support for them. And b. it's a way of dedicating them to the Lord for his work, leadership and control. It helps keep the focus on the Lord and not ourselves.
The equipping process is different for each person and the longevity is different for each person. For some it maybe a month or two. For another it could be a year. For another it could be eight years. For Moses it was 40 years. People can get impatient during the equipping process and discouraged and end up quitting. They fail to see the value in the equipping process.
3. Now you are ready to serve. Don't get me wrong, it's not that you're never serving during the first two steps it's just that once you've completed with the equipping process the serving is done with different type of intensity. During the serving it is important to stay in the body of Christ. Be committed to the church. Be in submission to the church leadership. Leaders in church body are needed both for accountability and encouragement, as well as the mentoring. We should always be open for constructive criticism and never feel we know too much. Arrogance settles in then we feel we don't need advice or constructive criticism. Our attitude should be, till the day we die, I will always need supervision and eyes watching over me to help me learn and grow and become better for the Lord.
What is your calling? Who recognizes your gifts and confirms your calling?
Are you currently in the equipping stage? What does the equipping process look like for you?
Who is your leader or mentor or supervisor? What church body are you committed to for support, encouragement, accountability and challenge?
this chapter my be a toughie but it slowed me down this morning, I’ve been busy running around since school let out, and haven’t taken the time to let GODs word really sink in, but today I took my time. I realized all of God’s words are important and that He is laying the foundation for everyone.
PB your comment about being a Lone Ranger is a weakness I need to work on. I have the tools I just need to work on sharing my gift and my testimony with others
I praise and thank the Lord for all you guys! The body of Christ is an amazing gift that He has given us for encouragement and accountability. We don’t need to be lone rangers.
In today’s reading, the lamp stand is finally lit as if to say the gifts described in Chapter 7 and the service described in Chapter 8 need to be exposed to the light. Jesus tells us about giving in Matthew 6. Do I give for tax purposes; do I serve to be noticed by others like the Pharisees in Jesus time did? Jesus sees not only what we do but why we do it – not simply what we give but how we give.
Lord, search my heart.
You definitely have a lot to offer, Brian! You do a great job connecting with these kids at edinboro camp and impacting their lives!
I found it interesting in today’s reading that the Levites were to serve from the age of 25 until 50 so there was a 25 year time span of service for them, Once they were 50 years old, then it was time for them to withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more as we read in verse 25. I’m sure that was not an easy thing to do. It’s so important to be training up the next generation to be able to pass the torch and help equip them as well.
I served in children’s ministries for many years and recently reached an ending point of full-time ministry at my church so I am now in a time of transition as I seek the Lord for His next step in what He wants me to do.
Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Some themes and points I pulled from this chapter:
We must purify ourselves for the Lord in all that we say and do
We must be willing to offer our finest gifts and talents to God to share His word and further His Kingdom
We are wholly Gods. He set us apart to know Him, love Him, honor Him, and glorify Him with our lives.
It’s time to get to work!