Have you ever had times that you have questioned the leadership role that God has placed you in? Or, have you had times that other people have questioned your leadership ability and your call to lead? Ever questioned yourself and felt totally inept to do what you know you must do?

I’m thinking this is likely what Aaron was feeling in Numbers 17 when the people were rebelling against authority. Previously they had questioned his actions, his ability to lead, and his call from God. I’ve been there, and in many ways am still there, fighting to lead people into the place that God has called us to go.

Its during these times that I have a tendency to look for a sign, for some kind of reassurance that everything is going to be ok and that I will still be able to feed my family and stand up strait when all is said and done. I don’t think the need for reassurance is bad or that it is testing God. Its just who we are and how we operate.

Well, Aaron got his sign. God told Moses to take the staff of the head of every family (twelve) and to put them in the tent of meeting, and the staff that sprouted would be the chosen spiritual leader. The next day when Moses went in, Aaron’s staff had sprouted, blossomed, and produced ripe almonds.

Maybe God got carried away on this miracle. Or, maybe there was great purpose in this. God could have just made Aaron’s staff spout with little flower buds and nothing more, but instead God chose to make it sprout, blossom, and produce food. There was no room for doubt, Aaron was God’s choice.

I have had many seasons like Aaron’s when I will doubt, and God will answer my prayers in a huge way, far above what I could ever hope or imagine. In the last year my cane has blossomed more times than I can count and I am constantly thankful for God’s little reminders of my calling all along the way. Here are a few of the things that He has blessed us with since we accepted His leading to plant a church.

• A free mini-van to drive
• A condo to live in rent free
• Various forms of financial help amounting to around $1,400
• A free computer (not new, but still a lot nicer than the one I had)
• My membership to a gym in Decatur paid for
• My web design business is growing, very slowly, but growing

I am continually thankful for these sprouts of blessing that we have had all along the way. And, I’m sure that many of you have similar stories. Please share them…