Frustrated Leaders

 Scripture:

“So my people come pretending to be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no intention of doing what you say. Their mouths are full of lustful words, and their hearts seek only after money. You are very entertaining to them, like someone who sings love songs with a beautiful voice or plays fine music on an instrument. They hear what you say, but they don’t act on it!” ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭33‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Observation:

God tells Ezekiel here that the people are coming and pretending to be sincere, but have no intention of doing what he says. God says of these people that their hearts are only after money. He goes on to say that they think Ezekiel is very entertaining, but don’t act on what he says. They hear but don’t act on what they hear. According to earlier verses just above this, Ezekiel did what he was supposed to do and delivered the messages, the people didn’t act on them. Therefore, they are accountable.

Application:

Sometimes as a leader, it is hard not to get an attitude with God’s people. We can lead them to water, but we can’t make them drink. It is easy to fall into feeling useless because people are entertained by your messages and even say they love them, but don’t put any action to them and don’t live them out. It is very frustrating in ministry to preach your heart out and feel like people aren’t listening. It makes you questions whether you are effective or not. We must keep in mind that our job is to deliver the word. The people will be held accountable for whether they apply what they hear.

Prayer:

Father, help me to navigate the feelings of ineffectiveness when I give my whole life to declaring Your word and I don’t see people appreciate it or follow it. Help me to deliver accurately what You want me to speak and leave the rest to You. Help me to be okay in preaching Your word, and not get frustrated when I see Your people not following it. 

Frustrated,

Jeff