We are all CALLED sinners – Failure in Our Leaders and in Ourselves

Are you ever disappointed in leaders—your husband, your pastor, your parent, or even yourself? Failure in our leaders and in ourselves, even when minor, leaves us hurt and discouraged. But remember, we are in good company among those called sinners.

Last month, I had the privilege of gathering with ministers’ wives from all over our state for a Rest and Renewal Retreat. We left behind our routines, ministries, and endless to-do lists for dormitory-style rooms nestled in the middle of pine forests next to a quiet lake. God used this time of Bible study, worship, prayer, and fellowship with others in the fishbowl life to encourage our hearts and build many new friendships. 

I had many takeaways from the three-day retreat, but one from the last day really hit home as I thought of my minister/husband. As I shared the thought with my writer’s group,  God used a fellow writer to open my eyes to how the passage also applies to my ministry and yours as well.

Abraham failed as a leader and husband.

The Bible study session focused on the life of Abraham and his call to follow God to an unknown place. God specifically called Abraham, but this meant God called Sarah, also. Along the way, both experienced victories and failures, obedience and sin, faith and doubt. 

Twice, Abraham lied in a way that put his wife Sarah at great risk. On one of these occasions, King Abimelech, who took Sarah into his harem, had a conversation with God in a dream. God kept this pagan man, who was unaware of the deception, from having a physical relationship with Sarah, revealed the truth to him, and then told him to ask Abraham to pray for him.

Abraham! The man whose fearful deception put Abimelech in this situation in the first place! (Read the whole story in Genesis 20)

Notice what God said about Abraham in Genesis 20:7: “He is a prophet.”

Abraham’s sin did not negate God’s calling on his life.

Every minister’s wife at that retreat knew well that each husband/minister is still a sinner. And sometimes, our godly husbands even sin against us— their own wives. 

Yet they are each still called by God. 

This is why we ALL need Jesus.

If we, or our husbands, or our pastors, or our parents, or our children, could be perfect, then Jesus died needlessly.

Now what about you and me? 

God has called me to parent, to write, to lead, to pray, to encourage . . . and sometimes, I feel so inadequate and unworthy. Who am I?

Just a sinner saved by grace, like every other child of God. 

Just like you.

And though this passage may speak strongest to those in leadership, it also speaks to every child of God. We have a calling because of God’s grace, not because of our qualifications. 

Certainly, if the Holy Spirit lives within us, we desire to follow Jesus more closely every day. But thank God, He still chooses to use us when we miss the mark.

So, yes, hold leaders to a high standard of pursuing holiness, but remember it’s God’s calling, not their perfection, that makes them qualified.

And, pursue holiness yourself, child of God,  but remember it’s God’s calling, not your perfection, that makes you qualified for your unique role in His Kingdom.

We are all called sinners. We are all called sinners.