Man In The Mirror

I’ll be honest, I get frustrated when I am in a drive through I think takes too long. I get frustrated when I watch the news and I think our country’s leaders aren’t leading well. I get frustrated when I watch my favorite sports teams and I think the head coach is missing something so obvious. We live in a world where we are regularly critiquing the performance of our leaders or the products we consume. So when we think we could produce better or lead better, how should we respond?
One of the number one songs in 1988, was “Man In The Mirror” by Michael Jackson. Interesting to me was learning that the background vocals were sung by the Andrea Crouch Choir, and the Winans. The chorus had a profound message, “I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways.” –“Michael Jackson.
“While there is a lot we don’t have control over, there is a little bit we do have control over, and it begins with the person in the mirror, it begins with self leadership” – Andy Stanley. Tom Watson, former CEO of IBM, said, “Nothing so conclusively proves someone’s ability to lead others as what they do on a day to day basis to lead themselves.” “The primary thing any of us is in charge of is our self. If you’re sitting there frustrated with your boss because your boss isn’t leading you as well as you think your boss should be leading you, well, here’s another option, instead of being frustrated, just start leading yourself well. It didn’t hit me until about age 30 when I finally decided, ok, enough with being frustrated with whether I’m being led well or not, I’m going to pick up the mantle of leading myself well. If you do that, you can ensure that you’re always led well. – Clay Scroggins, Executive Pastor of North Point Church.
Self leadership is about growing in self awareness. Where am I at right now? What do I need to work on? And where do I need to go? The Bible says we should always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have. Let me say it another way, we should always be prepared to answer someone who asks, “How do you grow in relationship with God?” How do you spend time with God each day? How are you growing in your relationship with Him? The Bible says we should take heed of our selves and watch our spiritual practices (doctrine) closely. How are you putting safeguards in place to lead a moral life? Am I acting in ways that reflect well on the God I love?
Recently our church did a study of our congregation, and among the many things we learned are two concerning things. Very few said they “experience God’s work in my life.” And, very few said they “prepare myself to participate in the worship service.”
Many people go to church in America as a consumer. We often expect the church to feed us and be responsible for our spiritual growth. We often pick a church based on what kind of music we like, or whether or not we connect with the pastor, and whether we feel the leaders are doing a good job. While all of these may be considerations, let’s look at biblical reasons to go to church.
Hebrews 10:25 says we go to church encourage other believers. Hebrews 13:17 says we go to submit ourselves to spiritual authority. Acts 2:42 says we go to participate in corporate Bible reading, corporate prayer, fellowship, and breaking bread together. Hebrews 13:15 says we go to offer a sacrifice of praise to God. Galatians 5:22-23 says we go to grow in the fruit of the spirit. Romans 8:13 says we go to wrestle with our flesh. 1 Corinthians 14:12 says we go to use our spiritual gifts to build up the church. 1 Corinthians 9:14 says we go to financially support those “who preach the gospel” as they “should receive their living from the gospel.”
I’ve decided I’m going to start with the man in the mirror. I’m asking God to help me be more self aware, and answer the questions, “Do I experience God in my daily life?” “Am I preparing myself for Biblical corporate worship?”

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