Leadership Series by Gill Newham missionary to Mongolia

Bearing the Cross as Leaders

“Whoever does not take up his Cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

Jesus’s words are sobering, and I’ve even heard it said that the notion of taking up your cross to follow Him is outdated in our post-modern era. Thank goodness God’s word is unchanging. It stands the test of time, refusing to be eroded by the heresy we try and thrust upon it.

The principle of laying down our lives to follow Him is a fundamental facet of the gospel. Although talk of denying self is never popular it is a biblical life pattern that God calls all Christians to and, in particular, leaders. In addition it seems God often allows the uncomfortable circumstances and trails of our life to press us towards letting go of our own desires.

However, the direction that the trials or sufferings come from can, sometimes, throw us off balance. We expect the gospel to cause offence to those outside the church but when those we minister to, perhaps even our closest Christian friends are the means by which misery and agony enter into our lives then we are apt to stumble. Hurt and wounded, we naturally want to retreat and lick our wounds. But when criticism or betrayal comes, as undoubtedly it will, God asks us not to despair. When dreams are shattered and our resources drained, Jesus beckons to come to closer to Him.

In drawing closer we are comforted and realise that Jesus empathises with our pain. In the midst of the comfort we receive the ability to endure the difficulties and lay aside our hurts; and even— although not without wrestling— our rights. The forgiveness we experience helps us extend forgiveness to others and enlarges our hearts and minds in understanding the work of reconciliation that Jesus wrought for each one of us. And inexplicably, out of pain comes life. There is death but there is also resurrection.

In the midst of the doubt and despair God creates glorious new life. Amongst those we lead God changes, and transforms, those who are following Jesus. He frees people from death and destructive behaviour until they possess a steady, growing confidence in God that touches the life of the church and subsequently, the life of the community.
But to see resurrection we must follow Jesus’s words to take up our cross. We must lay down our own agendas and integrate our lives amongst those we lead: both those who are easy to love and those who are less easy. When the difficulties come we have to choose not to isolate ourselves. As members of His body we have to learn to kneel and pray, “Not my will but yours be done Lord.” And then it happens: out of death comes life. The power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead — His resurrection power begins to operate. In the nitty-grittiness of daily life we live in the light of His death and the power of His resurrection, and as we do so, He builds His community, the church, here on earth.