Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6
“Zerubbabel undertook the daunting task of governing a region decimated by war and exile, as well as rebuilding a massive temple that lay in ruins. At this critical juncture, he received a message from God: “‘Not by strength or by might, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts” (Zech 4:6). Zerubbabel may have thought his primary concerns were brick and mortar, finances, taxation, and the surrounding enemies. But the deluged governor learned an invaluable lesson: spiritual leaders require the Spirit to work in their lives even when it involves undertaking tasks that appear to be unspiritual. Erecting buildings, administering people, and raising money are all spiritual jobs when the Spirit is involved. Without the Spirit’s presence, people may be leaders but they are not spiritual leaders.”
Henry & Richard Blackaby in Spiritual Leadership: Moving People on to God’s Agenda, Revised and Expanded (Nashville: B & H, 2011) 67.
My daughter, Sophie, and I have arrived safely in Egypt. Thanks to my frequent travel status, the Ramses Hilton upgraded us to the executive level overlooking the Nile River (pictured above) and includes free food for $100 plus tax, and they even put a “Happy Birthday” cake in the room for Sophie who just turned 21 a few days ago ! The city is a buzz at night as this month is Ramadan, when many people fast by day and eat only after sundown over a 30 day period. We are only here one night, and we head out of town for meetings.
Our strategic conversations with spiritual leaders will revolve around “tasks that appear to be unspiritual” or more specifically, those that relate to the faithful administration of God’s work. For many people, conversations about encouraging Christian generosity, practicing biblical fundraising, and exhibiting financial accountability might seem peripheral or incidental to gospel efforts. For Zerubbabel (and anyone administering God’s work today) such tasks are deeply spiritual. They must be handled faithfully with the guidance of the Spirit or God’s work will suffer.
Whether God calls you to tasks that people deem as “spiritual” or “tasks that appear to be unspiritual” don’t rely on your own strength and wisdom. Follow God’s instructions as outlined in His Word and trust the Spirit to help you do whatever work He has set before you. Do this because any work with and for God is spiritual work, and this marks the only pathway for service that is generous and that accomplishes God’s purposes.
Or, in the words of Zechariah, we must get our “might” and “power” out of the way so that God’s Spirit can do unimaginably generous work through us! Father in heaven, empower Sophie and me by your Spirit to serve and bless all those we meet in Egypt for the glory of Jesus. Amen.