In my opinion, any Christian leader who refuses to take action, make a decision, or is incapable of leading in any given ministry situation, good or bad, is destined for mediocrity. Having to make decisions just comes with being a leader. And hey, we don’t always make the right decision the first time. However, in most cases, what usually matters most is making the right decision – after the decision! There’s no shame in making a “wrong” decision. The shame is in making “no” decision when a decision is necessary!
When a deer jumps into the path of an oncoming vehicle at night, it usually isn’t the decision to jump that gets him killed. When faced with the unexpected headlights, his inability to make a decision to move, his failure to make the right decision after the decision, if you will, is usually what causes his demise. So it is with us. We were not given the ability to make the right decision “all” the time. However, we were given the ability to make a decision – and then make it right! (To make the right decision after the decision!)
All too often, we get caught in what the Bible calls: The Valley of Decision. Many times all of us have been guilty of saying we are “waiting on God” when in reality, God is “waiting on us!” Truth is we are like the deer caught in the headlights. Sometimes, we just need to make a decision to do something, anything, and go with it. Why? Because doing nothing leads to our demise. And I it doesn’t lead to our demise, then at a minimum it contributes to our mediocrity.
An old Indian proverb illustrates the point I am trying to make. It says, “Man who stand on top of mountain with mouth open wait long time for roast turkey to fly in!” Sometimes we need to decide to stop waiting and to start doing!
If you are a Christian leader, I have an encouraging word for you today: God put you where you are to make decisions. Make them! You won’t always make the right one. But hey, just make sure you make the right decision after the decision! Don’t stand there staring at the headlights. You’ll get run over! And don’t stand on top of the mountain waiting on a roast turkey to fly into your mouth. It ain’t gonna happen! Make a decision and follow it up with action!
In legislative proceedings/votes legislators are often given three options regarding how they may vote on an issue: 1) Yes. 2) No. 3) Abstain. By definition, abstainers are considered to have voted with the majority. In the strangest twist of irony, when we decide not to decide – we decide, right or wrong, good or bad, hot or cold, to go along with the majority. When we do this there are three possible outcomes: 1) The majority is right and we look like a hero. 2) The majority is wrong and it leads to our demise. 3) Even if it doesn’t lead to our demise, it makes us mediocre. I’m not a math whiz, but even I can figure out that when we decide not to decide – the odds are not favorable to us. So, as a Christian leader, make a decision. If you get it wrong – correct it. But don’t abstain on Jesus! In Revelation 3:15-16 Jesus said, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
I am of the distinct opinion that Jesus doesn’t like mediocrity. Therefore, we cannot abstain on Him! To do so leads to our mediocrity.
Brother Aaron
To schedule Brother Aaron to preach a Sunday service at your church, a revival meeting, or a special event, you may contact him at: 1-800-511-9536, 706-302.9162, or e-mail: freshfire@mindspring.com
