People who are spiritual leaders can look and act in very different ways because God made his people with enormous variety \u2014 we\u2019re called the body of Christ for a good reason \u2014 but they will all share certain qualities. All spiritual leaders also have the same starting point, and this is key because the starting point is where those qualities are planted.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s start with a familiar story. It\u2019s the beginning of Paul\u2019s journey with Christ. \u201cNow as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, \u2018Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?\u2019 And he said, \u2018Who are you, Lord?\u2019 And he said, \u2018I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.\u2019\u201d (Acts 9:3-6, ESV).<\/i><\/p>\n
Some people have an experience with Jesus, and others have an encounter with Christ. What\u2019s the difference? People who experience Jesus are the ones who take a selfie with the Savior. People who encounter Jesus fall to their knees, and their lives are never the same afterward. Paul\u2019s response to Christ is the essence of an encounter. He didn\u2019t ask Jesus, \u201cWhat\u2019s my calling? How do I achieve this dream I have? What\u2019s my next step?\u201d<\/p>\n
Paul, and every spiritual leader throughout history, asks, \u201cWho are you, Lord?\u201d<\/p>\n
Brothers and sisters, we have to grasp the significance of this. We must capture this in our hearts. How often do we go to the Lord and pray, \u201cShow me what it is that you want me to do. Help me be obedient to my calling.\u201d Nothing wrong with those prayers. Jesus promised Paul that he would tell him what he was meant to do. We jump to that step too quickly, though. We need to start with \u201cWho are you, Lord?\u201d God\u2019s presence will change us and give us the strength to do things that we could never do on our own.<\/p>\n