He Wanted: Disciples

I have been watching some of the confirmation hearings of the candidates for our new president's cabinet positions, and can't help but think about how difficult it would be to go through the gamut of questions, especially when you know that almost half of the crowd already opposes you just because of who appointed you.

It also reminds me that none of us are perfect, and that I am glad that the Lord is willing to use us despite our struggles and imperfections and all the baggage we bring to the table. In fact, He has a long history of taking the broken and least-likely-to-succeed and using them for His glory.

With that in mind, I wanted to share something I came across online recently. It's an alleged (tongue-in-cheek) memo from a first-century management consulting firm, addressed to one Jesus of Nazareth:

Dear Sir,

Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for management positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests; we have not only run the results through our computer, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant.

It is the staff opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capability.

As for specific profiles:  Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership. The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale. We feel that it is our duty to tell you that Matthew has been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau. James, son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus definitely have radical leanings and they both registered a high score on the manic-depressive scale.

One of the candidates, however, shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind and has contacts in high places. He is highly motivated, ambitious and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and right-hand man. All of the other profiles are self-explanatory.

We wish you every success in your new venture.

Sincerely,

Jordan Management Consultants

 

Thank God we don't have to pass a Senate confirmation to serve Him, nor are we judged by some consultant as to whether we are fit to serve. What He wants most from us is our availability, and then He is able to use us and be glorified through us.

I am so grateful to serve with such a wonderful group of disciples we call The Church at Shelby Crossings. I am praying for you, and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.