Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - The Great Cheerleader Shortage - #5244

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Over the years, our Campus Life Club put on a special push to reach football players because of their influence in their school. And one event they really enjoyed was what I called the Great Cheerleader Put-On where we had a relay to see which cheerleader could get dressed first in a full football uniform - shoulder pads and all. Once those girls got all the equipment on, you just took one look and it was clear that they should not take the field next week. But neither should the players take the field without those cheerleaders being there to keep them encouraged. Now look, the cheerleaders aren't players, but they do play a valuable part on behalf of those who do. They cheer and they stir up support when the players need it most. And that support can make a difference in the game.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Great Cheerleader Shortage."

You probably know some of God's varsity players. They're the spiritual leaders all around you. And often whether they win or lose can depend on whether or not they have the support of some spiritual cheerleaders ... like you, I hope.

Moses was an example of the difference that some loyal supporters can make. In Exodus 17:11 , our word for today from the Word of God, the Bible tells about the day General Joshua and his starting team went to battle against the vicious Amalekites. And the Bible says, "as long as Moses (who, by the way, was standing on a hill above the battle) held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up, one on one side, one on the other - so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army."

Here's the picture: an important battle, there's a depleted leader and the make a difference people - his loyal supporters. See, Moses reached the limit; even the greatest leaders do. In fact, the chances are you're close to a spiritual leader right now whose arms may be dropping. And he or she is leading in a life-or-death spiritual battle for the lives of people.

You say, "We need more leaders like Moses." Well, maybe there would be more leaders like Moses if there were more cheerleaders like Aaron and Hur! The church of Jesus Christ is experiencing a major cheerleader shortage, but you can be a part of the Aaron and Hur Squad. Maybe you're not a leader, but you could encourage a leader; you could stir up support for that leader; you could offer praise to someone who already has enough criticism; or you could step up and help meet a need in his or her life. Aaron and Hur saw a need and they found a way to meet it. Ultimately, there's nothing more powerful than fervent, daily, specific prayer for a spiritual leader you know.

One problem is that spiritual leaders usually appear to be strong. They have to. They look like they have everything together. But let me assure you, they struggle more than they ever show. I know many of them. They struggle with discouragement, weariness, temptation, failure feelings, and with the great temptation to give up. You could make a difference if you asked God for radar to see a way that you could minister to one of His leaders. As the leader goes, so go the troops and so goes the battle. And as the loyal arm-holders go, so goes the leader.

You can help decide the outcome of the spiritual warfare where you are, if you'll be a part of the answer to the great cheerleader shortage.