Scripture Read: 1 Timothy 3:1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
Application: Our enemy has used false modesty in the lives of believers many times to hinder ministry. Yes, we can never enter ministry to glorify ourselves, but we also must allow the Holy Spirit to show us our gifts, embrace them and then seek to use them in the work of the Kingdom. Here we see a very important ministry to the Body of Christ – Elder. Much will be discussed on this topic, but first we need to understand that this ministry is not for anyone that would pretend they did not want to be an Elder. Those that feel that way should either: 1. Stop lying and confess their false modesty so they can stand in this ministry with no reservation; no one put a gun to their head and made them do it, they wanted it. Or: 2. Admit they do not have the gifts, even though the desire is there, and step down and seek where God has gifted them to be in the Body. As I stated, this is no place for false modesty nor is it a place for personal agenda. There must be a balance that is struck by the Holy Spirit. Our desire cannot become agenda, but desire must be a part of the formula. We need to understand that the emphasis is on the task here, not the person. This has nothing to do with seeking position or title in the Body of Christ. It has everything to do with functioning as a shepherd for the Lord and the flock. What is interesting is God used two different words for desire in the verse and as we consider them we will see how important it is that both must be present in any individual that is placed into Eldership:
ὀρέγω orégō - Literally, to stretch out especially with the hands, to snatch. It describes external action, not internal motive
ἐπιθυμέω epithuméō - from epí in, and thumós the mind. The second means “a strong passion,” and refers to an inward desire. .[1]
As we put these two thoughts together we see a clear picture of the desire that must exist in a person that is elder material. He must outwardly pursue it, no back room politics. He pursues it because he is driven by a strong internal desire. This combination is what God uses to affirm to that man that he is not choosing the position alone, yes he wants it, but he wants it because God has placed in his heart a burning desire to serve the Body of Christ this way. It is no emotional joy ride to be a Shepherd, but the fruit is heavenly! Being what God made you to be is what fills that void that only real purpose can fill. All of us should seek to be what God wants us to be, then that restless itch dies and a sense of destiny enters.
Meditation Questions: Do you sense that God has made you for a reason? What is that? What are you doing to pursue that? Do you desire recognition? What does that say? Do you have a ministry in a local Body? Does it energize you? What does that say? Do you do things in ministry that kill your energy? What does that say? Do you know your gifts? Are you trying to discover what they are? Are you trying to use and perfect them?
[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.
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