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'Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.'' 2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV
While most (hopefully) know this, I am well aware of the importance of this message to those that do not.
If success is determined by the fulfilment of an assignment or attainment of a goal, it therefore follows that a full understanding of the goal is the most important requirement. It comes before strategizing or action.
Now if the goal is a personal one, the individual just needs to take the time to write it down to gain clarity within himself. However, if it is an assignment or goal set by another, an intimate discussion with the originator is required. If this is not done, no matter how great a result (as measured using other parameters) is achieved, failure is inevitable. Why? Because you cannot meet a goal that you do not understand. And you cannot understand without clarity provided by the originator.
No steward in God's house can truly achieve God's goals without listening to him. The best we would have is the acclaim of men devoid of his eternal reward.
In all of Jesus' teachings on stewardship in the Gospels, the most important thing, and so often overlooked, is that the steward is a trustee. He does not set the goals or formulate the purposes entrusted to him. His job is to understand and execute the trust to the benefit of the one who appointed him. He follows the laid-out procedures and prescriptions. If he is to achieve maximum success, he cannot 'wing it' i.e. make up processes and goals as he goes along. He must be led by the Trust. The Trust is the Gospel. The terms are in the bible. The daily guide is the Holy Spirit. To work outside any of these is to fail.
''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
The holy Spirit of God was given to Jesus' followers not just to empower them to achieve their own goals, but to make them witnesses of the risen Christ. It is only by following his continuous guidance we mature to be 'Christ' on earth. This is what it means to be a witness - we provide proof that Christ is alive by exhibiting his life and mission, under his directive, on earth.
God's goals are not dictated by changing human thinking and systems. They are Eternal.
Here is what the Lord said to me:
Tell them (i.e. leaders) that Human doctors and care professionals swear oaths to ensure the ethics of their calling is maintained at the highest standards that it can be. They do this because they recognise that their profession is a matter of life and death - on this earth.
You are my stewards, your calling involves not just a matter of life and death on this earth, but for all eternity. If humans can hold their physicians to such a high standard because of the sanctity of life, how much more I who gave my life to secure those lives for all of eternity? You have been given this great responsibility, hold it and fulfil it as those who will give account for every soul encountered''.
We are Christ's representatives. Whatever we do or say on this earth is as though he was doing or saying it. It carries his authority. Walking conscious of this only becomes a burden when we do it in our own strength. His purpose is not to burden us, but to make us participators in his divine mission. His yoke is easy and burden is light. [Matthew 11:30]
The trick is to be led - not to lead.
''For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.'' Romans 8:14
The goal is to follow, because it is those who are led that fulfil his goals.
''Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'' Matthew 16:24
''So, you should regard us as the Messiah’s servants, as trustees of God’s secret truths.
Now the one thing that is asked of a trustee is that he be found trustworthy. And it matters very little to me how I am evaluated by you or by any human court; in fact, I don’t even evaluate myself. I am not aware of anything against me, but this does not make me innocent. The one who is evaluating me is the Lord. So don’t pronounce judgment prematurely, before the Lord comes; for he will bring to light what is now hidden in darkness; he will expose the motives of people’s hearts; and then each will receive from God whatever praise he deserves..'' 1 Corinthians 4:1 - 5 CJB
''The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again'' John 10:17
''Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,'' Luke 4:1
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