(Video podcast here)

One might say, “I’m not a queen.  I look like one or act like one, but I’m really not one.”  But you gotta remember that way before she became queen, she was a regular young lady ready for whatever God wanted to do for her and through her.

Concurrently, right at the same time, God was raising up other guys to rebuild the nation of Israel.  Ezra opened the Scriptures to reconnect people to God.  Nehemiah was used to fix the infrastructure of the nation and rebuild the walls.

You see, when God rebuilds a nation.  It’s never one guy.  He pulls many together to accomplish His purpose.  Sometimes, leadership can be over glorified.  It’s still HIM, at the end of the day.  He uses ordinary, regular Joes like us to accomplish his purpose.

To see this nation rise from the ashes, it can’t be one leader, candidate, ’savior’.  It will have to be all of us coming together to see this thing happen.

It’s a banker who keeps his integrity intact.  It’s the young high schooler studying hard and pushing to excel for one day he will be in a leadership position.  It’s the teacher who gives her best to not only download info but also character.  It’s the father who disciples his kids into all God has planned. And so on…

Each one, doing his part.

Yesterday, one guy did his part.  Joshua Suarez ran 102 km for the DEATH MARCH and raised Php 102,000 for underprivileged students of Real Life Foundation’s Scholarship Fund.

He’s not a Senator, not a governor, not even a CEO of a multi national company.  But in his way, he is making a contribution to make a difference in this nation, this time.

Imagine what this nation will look like in 40, 50, 70 years if everyone did his ‘little’ contribution to make a difference.

Remember, it’s the little things that make the little difference that eventually make the big difference.

But what makes it more fun is when you have someone cracks a joke, someone buys pizza, someone tells a story about their week that makes us bust out laughing, manny makes a comment, miko gets lost in outer space, ganns gives a witty remark with his evil laugh, bernard chides and blows us away with a story… stuff like these make staff meetings fun.  Now include LA MUMAR’s clapping invention when we celebrate a win.  Ask him about it when you see him.

Mark Batterson said, “I cannot cite a verse or a study, but I honestly believe that the healthiest churches are churches that laugh the most. I’d also add cry the most to that. They are churches that feel deeply, feel freely. The gospel isn’t just in their heads. It’s in their hearts.”

I believe that.

I’m just so glad I serve with a team of fun people.  We have every reason to rejoice – we have JESUS.  That’s more than enough.

We met this morning to continue our strategic planning for discipleship.  I am privileged to work with brilliant men and women.

Working with these guys taught me one important lesson – I am not necessarily the smartest person in the room.  I just happen to be the leader.

I’ve always known this (the not the smartest guy in the room part) but consistently finding out and appreciating the wisdom in the room is such an awesome honor.

Mae “Cutie” Perez – who is so brilliant with volunteer management.  She makes Jimmy Carter feel like 4 feet tall with her volunteer management prowess.

Dennis “Action Man” Isleta – who is such a soldier in the kingdom of God who is both a leader and a servant.  He makes Norman Swarzkopf pee in his pants.

Jun “the Doc” Aguilar – who is the master at raising future leaders from scratch.  John Welch wouldn’t even think twice getting this guy in his team.

Crickette “Cookie” Abello – who is the best with details and organization.  The next president of the Philippines should actually get her as press secretary cum presidential chief of staff cum executive secretary.  She can run the nation when the president is out of the country.

Bernard “Mr. Ideation” Marquez – who is amazing at what he does in Pastoral Services that Dr. Phil will want to seek counseling from him.

Carlos “the deliberative consultant” – who often stands as the devil’s advocate (sorry for the term).  But he is good at what he does.  I wouldn’t be surprised if McKinsey & Co. pirates him but they won’t be able to afford him.  They don’t have Old Vine and Gelato.

LA “the small pox” Mumar – who is now on loan because he is on route to planting a new church in Makati.  He is always a welcome voice to the discussion because he is a ‘young veteran’.  While he is still young, he has had so much experience in ministry since he’s been serving since he was 12 or 13 years old.

Of course, our senior pastor – Joey “the grand master” Bonifacio who trailblazes for all of us.  Integrity. Character. Leadership. Strategic. These are some words that I know will describe him.  We are blessed to have him leading all of us.

Then there’s Robert, Rich, Junjin, Jonathan, Manny, Ramir, Klaris, Gabby, Onie, Ganns, Marge, Mich, Mark, Christian, Dan, …. (hope I didn’t miss anyone)

Team!  I know I’m not the smartest person.  I simply am the leader.