"You Need a Good CFO! (Mark 3:13-14)

When I was with my former company, my partners thought it important for all of us to understand our strengths and weaknesses. Thus, we hired a business consultant who administered a test that would identify our personality types and aptitudes. My analysis was direct. I would be a good leader or CEO but would need a good accountant or CFO. No surprises there. My weakness has always been with numbers and financial forecasting. I have always surrounded myself and relied upon others with an excellent eye for financial analysis. Of course, this assumes the people I choose would also be compatible with my other advisors and managers. And this is where problems often arise.

In all my companies, I have endeavoured to surround myself with people who were adept in areas which I lacked. I have sought people who were skilled at advertising, marketing, sales, finances; and to direct everyone, a good manager. Any personal weakness would be compensated by others more talented than myself. But what looks good on paper, may not translate well into reality. Personality conflicts may arise, competing agendas may supplant the leader’s vision, and petty personal idiosyncrasies may explode into outright hostility.  We may need to find others to compensate for our weaknesses but the solution may sometimes not be worth the effort.

And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach.
Mark 3:13-14

I marvel at the men that Jesus Christ picked to be His Apostles. These twelve men had such varied backgrounds and frankly, it is a wonder that a civil war did not erupt. Simon the Zealot was called this because he was a virulently anti-Roman agitator. Matthew was a tax collector, a Jew who worked with the Romans. These two Apostles could not have been more opposite in outlook and occupation. Fishermen, tax collector, zealot... Jesus brought them together.  Would I have picked such men? I doubt it. Jesus was willing to use men who had many personality flaws and their own competing agendas. He did not focus upon their flaws but focused upon their hearts. He revealed to them that He was the Son of God and by placing their trust in Him, He used them to proclaim and preach the Good News to all people.

I am thankful that by God’s grace and mercy, He saved me. He uses me, in spite of all my personality flaws and weaknesses, to serve Him. I may surround myself with others to help me but I first need to believe that His grace is sufficient for me. His strength is made perfect in my weakness.

Amen!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.