The microphone and public address system were created to solve a problem. Problems are the catalyst for creativity! Thomas Edison solved a problem when he invented the light bulb. Henry Ford solved a transportation problem. The newspaper, television and the internet have solved an information problem. Mechanics solve car problems. Dentists solve teeth problems. Lawyers solve legal problems. Counselors solve emotional problems. Accountants solve tax problems. Pastors solve many problems as well.
Problems have always motivated men and women to discover solutions. Again, problems are the catalyst for creativity. You were created by God to solve a problem. Men & women throughout the Bible were problem-solvers.
Eve was created to solve a companionship problem for Adam. Moses was created to solve a leadership problem for a nation. Joshua, Paul, Jonah, Elijah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, & others, were created to solve problems. In fact, in Jeremiah 1:4-5, “…The word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations…” Like Jeremiah, you are a walking solution to someone’s problem. You are an answer to someone’s prayer. You were created for God’s purposes!
There’s a sin problem in our world. There’s a divorce problem in our society. There’s a rebellion problem in the church. There’s a selfishness problem in relationships. There’s a morality problem on our campuses and in corporate America. You were created to solve a problem. When pastors and leaders get in the middle of fixing problems, it gets messy. We’re often misunderstood, judged, and criticized. Even when our hearts are right, we’re condemned for our methods, or judged for our motives. It’s not easy to solve problems; but that’s what we were created to do.
Perhaps the Psalmist felt some of this pressure as a leader. He said, “…Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable!” (Psalm 139:14-17)
Even when others aren’t thinking well of you, take comfort knowing that God’s thoughts about you are good. Remember…you’re not the problem. You are the solution!
Things to think about:
1) What’s the BIG problem that God created you to solve? What LITTLE problems have prepared you to solve the BIG problem?
2) Why are pastors & church leaders so often misunderstood? Do you (as a leader) find yourself in the middle of conflict on a very regular basis? Is that normal?
I love it. We are problem solvers. The problem is that we sometimes allow our focus to not be centered on the true problem.
ReplyDeleteWe are called as disciples of Christ to lead people to the cross, disciple them, nuture and care for them, then train them to go and do the same.