Don't Steady the Cart

And when they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled. (1 Chronicles 13:9 NKJV)

This is probably the most preached verse in revivals I have ever heard. I have several different sermons from this passage myself. The other day I was journaling through the Bible and came to this passage. I was like, "Really? What could I possibly get from this that is new?"

I felt The Lord say to me, "Stop trying to steady my cart." I knew exactly what He meant. If you are like me you probably feel the need to control certain aspects of life. For me, it is pastoring a local church. I feel like I need to make it happen sometimes. If I feel the "cart" is falling I try to step in to fix it.
Uzzah failed to realize that the cart was God's. The ark of the covenant was where His presence dwelt in the Old Testament. God did not need Uzzah's help. God had it under control.

My cart is the local church. I have had to stop trying to "steady" the cart. The local church belongs to God, not me.

I am not sure what your cart is. Maybe it is a relationship, job or a church. At any rate, here three things that this passage inspires me to do:
1) God is Sovereign and in Control
2) I don't have to control everything
3) Train others to think this way

I love football. One truth about football is that there are many plays in a game. Every down is not 3rd down. Some possessions will end in punts. I don't have to score a touchdown every time. I don't have to steady the cart. The cart will be fine....

Is your Ambition Selfish?

As I was meditating on the Word of God the other day I had the idea come to mind about the difference between being driven or living with selfish ambition.

Now let me give a disclaimer: Don't go "organic" and say that you don't care at all or that it doesn't matter. Don't pull back to one extreme or the other but take time to search your heart.

I have broken this idea down to: selfish ambition, being driven or living in purpose.

1) Selfish-Ambition: This is the part where someone needs to succeed for a deeper internal purpose. They want to prove others wrong, have to "out-do" someone else, or need the success because of insecurity. This is the lowest level of attempting to fulfill purpose.
This leader simply uses people as tools for his/her creation. They will hurt other people to get to their goal in the process. Their personal success is more important than the organizations success. They personalize and take ownership by calling it "my" church, team or organization.
They usually have temporary, short term success with long term detriments.

2) Driven: This is where most of us fall into. Being driven includes having strong goals, striving to succeed and putting the organization as the top priority.
Being driven is not a "bad" thing but it can become bad for the leader. This drive can make you utilitarian and seem aloof to those who are not directly tied to the organization. You view those who leave as the enemy. It is almost an obsession to succeed. Driven individuals are often insensitive to others and view things in black and white against the goals/success of the "vision."

3) Resting in Purpose: All leaders usually go through this process of 1-3 through a series of hurt, disappointment and failure. I have seen that this is almost the only way to go from 1 to 3.
Someone who is "resting in purpose" is not lackadaisical but they see all of life and all people as part of the purpose. They view failing as a part of the purpose. They don't become irate or angry when goals aren't met. They don't use people but rather see the person as an intricate part of purpose. They are usually driven but easy going as well. They don't have strict judgments on other organizations and love to partner with people.
They simply rest in their purpose. They understand the sovereignty of God and rest in His grace.

All of us need this check-up from time to time.

Hope this helps you in your leadership journey.