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God’s Leaders are Consecrated
February 2006 by Ted Schroeder

Read
Isaiah 6:1–8, Luke 1:26–36 and Mark 9:2–8. What similarities do you see?

The ceremony doesn’t seem all that important. The pastor asks if we are willing to do the task to which the congregation has elected us. We respond: “Yes, with the help of God.” It seems like just another passing promise until we see how that promise fits into what God has always been doing with God’s leaders.

Isaiah may not have been remarkable in any other way than this—his mouth was touched by the angel of God and his words from that time forward were dedicated, consecrated to God. Mary seemed an ordinary young woman from an ordinary village in Galilee until she was set apart, consecrated as the mother of the Savior. And so throughout the biblical story, again and again, ordinary people are marked, called, and set apart for unique and remarkable service.

Jesus himself was consecrated. He stood on the mountain of transfiguration, shrouded in the glory of God, and the voice of God named him “my beloved.” He was set apart for the task he had already determined to do.

Sometimes the work we are called to do in a congregation may seem rather ordinary. We may be faced with dozens of day-to-day jobs that need to be done. Just like the ceremony that puts the tasks in our hands, the whole thing can seem rather unimportant.

But God does not see it that way. No matter how unremarkable the job, God’s chosen ones are always marked and set apart for the task. They are touched, called, named, visited with the very presence of the Spirit of God as they set about to do what they have been called to do.

The ceremony there in church may seem less than impressive. The task ahead may seem a great deal less than remarkable. But we can be assured of this: God has set us apart for the task. It is God’s Spirit that inspires and inhabits our doing. It is God’s will that drives us ahead. And it is God’s purpose that is accomplished.

Jesus said and continues to say, “You did not choose me but I chose you. . . .” (John 15:16) We are God’s chosen ones, set apart and consecrated for the tasks we have promised to do.

For reflection or discussion
You are consecrated, set apart, dedicated. What does that mean to you as you go about your tasks of service? How is that consecration evident in what you do?

Prayer
Lord, help us to know that we are the set apart ones, the ones who have been consecrated for the service you want us to do. Set us on fire with the Spirit so that we can accomplish great things, even in the seemingly common tasks you have called us to do. In the name of the one who was set apart for us. Amen. 

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