07

Jump Start # 2177

Posted on September 7, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2177

Matthew 6:3 “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”

Anonymous—that certainly seems to be the hot topic of the week politically. The New York Times published a tell-all inside story of the goings on of the White House. The article was written by an anonymous senior staffer. Now the hunt is on to reveal who this is person. Then, Bob Woodward published a book in which he interviewed dozens of anonymous high ranking officials about the current President.

Anonymous is certainly making the rounds. But this is nothing new. Mr. Anonymous has been alive and well for years and has had an influence upon the spirit of congregations. An unsigned letter is mailed to the elders or the preacher. In it, a scathing rebuke is made and the charge that certain ones have no business in the Lord’s business. The words are plain, harsh and unsigned. Those that received the letter try to figure out who wrote it. The rebuke stings but it is often one sided and doesn’t understand the whole story.

Sometimes anonymous appears in other forms. Instead of a letter, it is an imagery crowd. Someone declares, “Everyone is upset about this.” The “Everyone,” happens to be me, myself and I. Or, “no one goes along with this,” is often just me and my wife. Making the crowd larger than what it really is, supposedly gives more credit and substance to one’s disapproval. It sounds better if one can say, “Everyone,” rather than just, “Me.”

Our passage has a spirit of anonymity within it. It is directed toward doing good. Helping the poor and not letting the left hand know what the right hand is doing, is another way of saying, don’t toot your horn. Don’t pat yourself on the back. Don’t brag about what you have done. Just do good and do it in secret. Don’t let others know. Now, this is in the arena of goodness. You help someone. You give someone a gift. You compliment someone. You encourage someone. You don’t have to make a big deal about that, rally the troops and lead the charge. Just do what you can and forget it. Don’t keep track. Don’t remind the receiver of the gift you gave. Don’t put guilt upon others because you did something and they didn’t. Just silently do good.

That’s our passage. That makes sense. That’s one time being anonymous is good. It seems that we often get things backwards. When it comes to doing good, we tend to brag. However, when we want to express our complaints, we hide in the shadows of being anonymous.

Through the years, I have received a few anonymous letters. Most were negative. Most were trying to set things in order as they saw them. Here is what I learned from anonymous letters.

The person who sends anonymous letters is not interested in a discussion. They don’t want resolution. They want to tell you how wrong you are. Their mind is made up. They are not interested in hearing what you have to say. They are finished. This is their last parting shot.

The person who sends anonymous letters does not want to participate in helping fix things. They lay it all upon you. Here’s the problem. You must fix it. They do not have solutions. They do not want to be a part of the solution. They see some injustice and expect you to take care of it.

The person who sends anonymous letters wants to hide in obscurity. They do not want to be known. They can fire shots across the bow and even say mean and hateful things without any consequences because no one knows who they are. They are bold in their anonymity. They would never say to your face what they send in an anonymous letter. They are as bold as Luther, nailing the 95 protests to the door, however, unlike Luther, these folks would do it in the middle of the night and no one would ever know who authored those things. Notes typed out so no one can recognize the handwriting. Notes slid under an office door. Notes threatening trouble if action is not taken. Demanding. Hateful. Unkind. One sided.

The person who sends anonymous letters is not walking in the steps of Jesus. Remember the Matthew passage, if someone sins against you, go and reprove him in private (18:15). That’s the Biblical pattern. These days, an anonymous letter would be sent to the offending person. Harsh language and threats would be made. Rather than follow Jesus’ words, where a discussion can take place. Where there is an opportunity for apologies, forgiveness and grace, our way blows things up. It makes a mess. How can one apologize if they don’t know who to or what the situation is about. It’s like what typically happens in many marriages. The wife walks into the room, obviously upset. The clueless husband asks, “What’s wrong?” She says, “You know.” And, he doesn’t. He panicky tries to think of something. Her birthday? Our anniversary? Did I say something about her mother? Did I forget to pick something up on the way home? She becomes more upset because he doesn’t know. Anonymous letters do the same.

So, what am I to do if I am upset with someone? What if I do not agree with something the preacher said? What if I don’t think the elders are on the right path with something they are planning? What should I do?

First, calm down. That’s important. Breathe. The fiery spirit is what writes the anonymous letters. Pray. Think things out.

Second, find a mutual time to meet with the person you are upset with and talk with him. Going out the door of the church house is not the time nor the place. Making a scene in front of others is not the place.

Third, when you meet, be calm. Address the issue. Don’t attack the person. Don’t bring up a bunch of stuff that is unrelated. Explain how you feel and why you are upset. They may not know. Don’t play guessing games.

Fourth, listen. Allow the person to respond. Now, they may go on the attack, and that’s wrong for them. Most times, a person naturally puts up a form of defense. Often, they may not even know that you were hurt or have even considered your perspective. I have had people upset with something I said in a sermon. We talked about it. On one occasion, we sat together and listened to a replay of the sermon. I never said what they thought I did. The facts were put before them and we discovered that there wasn’t a problem after all. This can only happen if you are as willing to listen to them as much as you want them to listen to you.

Fifth, if you are in the wrong, apologize. If they are, offer grace. Try to build bridges to connect, not fences that keeps us apart. Consider who the person is. Consider the big picture. A child of God is more likely to do what is right than a person of the world. Someone not following God is as likely to deny, lie, distort to save face. That does become a real problem. But among brethren, you want to strive to keep unity. You want to honor Christ. The right thing needs to prevail. Don’t be too big to admit wrong. Don’t be too harsh to forgive.

Finally, if the other person is in the wrong, work to make it right. Be part of the solution. Then, once you have moved past this, let it go. Don’t remember it. Don’t keep reminding others of it. Don’t gossip. It’s finished, so act that way.

And for those of us that receive anonymous letters, there is a special round container that they need to placed in. It’s called the trash can. Read the letter. Think about it. Then toss it. If a person won’t be honest enough to do what Jesus wants, don’t let it get under your skin.

I love the story of two men in the church who had a falling out. It got ugly. They finally met to talk it out. One was really mad. He was ready to put the other guy in orbit. As the discussion began, one asked if he could say a prayer. He prayed that he would listen to his brother. He prayed that his heart would be open to how he had hurt him. He prayed for forgiveness. He prayed that their friendship through all these years would not end. He thanked the Lord for this good heart that came to him. This went on for a while. When the prayer ended, he said, “Please tell me how I have hurt you.” The other man, with tears running down his cheeks, said, “It’s ok. Let’s be friends.”

Maybe if we prayed together more, and sent fewer anonymous letters things would be better among us. It’s a mess in Washington. What’s missing in all of that political turmoil is the spirit of Jesus. I don’t know how all of that will turn out, but I do know, if you and I walked more closely to the Lord, all of our relationships, even the bumpy ones, would improve.

Signed, anonymous.

No, I mean, Roger.

06

Jump Start # 2176

Posted on September 6, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2176

2 Corinthians 7:5-6 “For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side; conflicts withoiut, fears within. But God who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus.”

We continue our consideration of preachers and discouragement and depression. This follows the story of a young California preacher who took his life. It illustrates for us that although the preacher can point the way to Christ, he, himself, is often on a long journey and has to deal with his own struggles. There was a time not too long ago when the unspoken expectation among brethren was perfection among preachers. It was never declared that way, but the lack of patience, understanding and the willingness to work with a man who was struggling sure seemed to be rare back then.

 

Preachers, like the rest of us, get discouraged. Things happen in life, things do not go the way we hoped and prayed for and people let us down an disappoint us. We can all say, “That’s life.” Been there way too many times. Discouragement among preachers also comes from the nature of the work. Some of this is brought on by the way we think and what we expect, but nevertheless, it’s there.

 

Our passage today reflects the troubled Paul. Conflicts without and fears within. What a miserable mess he was in. No peace. No rest. No comfort. The ESV says he was “downcast.” The NAS is more blunt. It uses the word depressed. A depressed apostle is not the image that we want to have of Paul. Not at this place in our N.T. He ought to be riding high. His spirits ought to be soaring. Fears and conflicts makes us question his faith. There were many reasons for this. Persecution caused the outward conflicts. The divided, carnal Corinthian church was the internal fears. Was Paul doing enough? Was he too soft? Was he too strong? Maybe Peter would be a better fit? Maybe Paul was traveling too much and just needed to stay in one place for a while and help them? Maybe…maybe…maybe.

 

What I sense here is what troubles many of us preachers. The balance of our work. The guilt we place upon ourselves, wondering if we are doing enough. The loneliness of not having anyone who understands. Not wanting to be perceived as whining or complaining, but knowing that so much is expected of him. If the church isn’t growing, the first thought is the preacher and his preaching. If folks leave, the first thought is the preacher and his preaching. If families complain about no one is connecting with the young people, the first thought is the preacher and his preaching. The church doesn’t seem to be very friendly, everyone looks to the preacher. The fellowship seems shallow and empty, all eyes turn to the preacher. Even if no one does, he does. He knows. He puts this upon himself. He hears what fellow preachers are doing and it makes him feel worse, because he isn’t doing those things. His family cries for his attention. His studies cries for his attention. The members need him. He knows he needs to be in the community teaching the lost. He feels pulled, stretched and he knows the candle has been burning in both directions for a long, long time. He feels guilty for getting away. There are stacks of books he needs to read. The classes he prepares are fine by most standards, but not his. He struggles with sleep, because all of these thoughts, needs keep rushing through his mind. He tries to smile and be upbeat, but deep inside, the conflicts, the fears, are all too real.

 

Then, added to this, some cranky brother explodes on the preacher. He chews him out for something so innocent. More defeated and more exhausted, the preacher sits in his office wondering what he will preach on this week.

 

Now, before we have a big pity party and all cry, “Poor little preacher,” we need to grasp a few things.

 

First, the nature of our work is preaching every Sunday. It’s been that way since the first century. We have sermons on Sunday. That means as soon as Sunday is wrapped up, the preacher must start all over again. There are ways to keep fresh. There are things he can do to keep the ideas flowing. But if he can’t handle that, the constant deadlines, the pressure, if he doesn’t like that, then he needs to think long and hard about preaching. Paul told Timothy to preach the word. Sitting in a coffee shop all morning, drinking coffee, may be a way to try to get Bible studies. It’s one way. But he needs to know that preachers are not supported to sit in coffee shops and hope someone is brave enough to ask, “Are you reading the Bible?” We are supported to preach. That is not confined only to the church building, nor to a large audience. But neither does it exclude that. Working up sermons that are needful, helpful, practical, and Biblical takes time. The preacher needs to preach.

 

Second, there are expectations that we assume and we place upon ourselves that are not true to the Bible. It’s not the sole responsibility of the preacher to convert the lost, strengthen the brethren and to set the visionary course for the future. We have borrowed the corporate concept that if a team isn’t winning, fire the coach. If a business isn’t profitable, get rid of the CEO. The responsibility of growth is never laid upon the preacher’s shoulders. We’ve done that. So, sermon after sermon, when no one responds to the Gospel call, the preacher feels it. He knows. He begins to question his ability. He begins to wonder if it’s time to move. If the message is what is needed, it often isn’t the preacher’s fault. Are the members inviting? Is the audience listening? We never dream of asking a family to leave because they are not carrying their load of the work. Here is a family and all they do is show up on Sunday morning. Nothing more is expected and nothing more will ever be done. They never think about asking family members for a Bible study. They never volunteer to help or to teach. They don’t even show up for a Gospel Meeting, let alone, try to invite someone. Yet after a few years, this family will lead the call for a change of preachers. Why? We aren’t growing, they declare. They have placed the whole burden upon the preacher.

 

Let’s get back to what Paul told Timothy. Preach. Preach. Preach. He never said, “Grow the church.” God will give the increase if we are planting and watering. So, some of the discouragement is self induced. We place more burdens upon us than we should. That has become a common problem among us preachers.

 

Third, our passage shows that God helped Paul by sending Titus. God didn’t take away the problems. The conflicts and fears were still there, but now there was Titus. Titus the friend. Titus the fellow preacher. Titus, who was God’s comforter. In this, we see the wonderful need for each other, for encouragement and for connections with others, especially those who understand. I am amazed at the network that young preachers have among each other. Our times makes it easy. It wasn’t there when I started. Phone calls were long distance and expensive. Email didn’t exist. No such thing as social media. So, I’d write letters. I wrote many preachers. I had questions. I didn’t understand things. Often, most often, those letters were not answered for another six months. By then, I had worked through many of those issues. It was lonely and it was hard. Today, thankfully, it is so much easier.

 

I would encourage younger preachers to find an older preacher that you can trust, and get close to. You need him. His experience, his wisdom, his love for the Lord will help you. Older preachers, don’t be threatened by these younger ones. They are on fire. They are talented. They are passionate. They are full of ideas. They need some direction. They need some stability. Don’t be jealous. Don’t be mean to them. Don’t be grumpy.

And, younger preachers, look up to these older ones. They have made things easier for you. They were never paid what you are making today. They have helped congregations and elderships get back to a Biblical pattern. They have preached longer than you have been alive. Include them. Invite them. Learn from them. Take care of them.

 

The work preachers do is hard. What the congregation sees on Sunday is just one small part of it. In fact, it’s the easiest part of preaching. See if you can be a Titus to a preacher. You may just be the comfort that God sends to help a preacher.

 

How a preacher deals with his own discouragement shows a lot of what he is made up of. Discouragement can be a bump in the road that we get over, or it can cripple us and defeat us. Helping others who are discouraged is difficult when you carry the same ball and chain around yourself. Faith, prayer and understanding what you are to do helps immensely.

 

Have I ever been discouraged? Yes. I once was asked, “Do you ever feel like quitting?” My answer, “Every Monday morning. But Tuesday rolls around and I have to get things done, so I get back at it.”

 

I am thankful for the brethren who stand in the shadows of Titus. What you do is life changing.

 

Thank you,

 

Roger

 

05

Jump Start # 2175

Posted on September 5, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2175

 

Acts 20:28 “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”

 

A few weeks ago, a young California preacher took his life. Depression was something that plagued him most of his life. That sent shock waves through the many blogs that are associated with preachers. Posts about preachers and discouragement and the signs of depression among church leaders are flying through the internet news. Even among our brethren, there have been some helpful and needful thoughts drawn to this concern. There are many factors that are connected to this, some personal within the makeup of the individual preacher, and some professional, that comes with the job we do. It can be lonely. Few understand outside of those who preach. The demands are high. There is no real sense of job security. For most, a fumble on a Sunday and one is likely to lose his job. There is a lot of internal pressure.

 

The fearful question then is asked, “Have you ever thought about taking your life?” For me, no. But I have thought about quitting, often. And, all of this directly leads to our first article that I want to address in this area.

 

Our verse today, showing the elders or shepherds of a congregation to be on guard for all the flock and to shepherd the church of God, includes watching over the preacher. How rare this is done today. We assume the preacher doesn’t need shepherding. We assume that he can work through whatever bothers him and he is so strong that he’s ok. Wrong assumptions.

 

The preacher is a member and is very much like everyone else in the congregation. He has good days and he has days that are not so good. You see the preacher on Sunday, smiling in his suit and all wired up to preach and ready to go. But what’s running through his mind? What’s on his heart? What’s he going to be like later that day? How will he handle the things that are said to him? This is where shepherding must come in and must excel.

 

There was a scene in Mel Gibson’s movie, the Patriot, in which the British high command were complaining that the colonial militia were targeting the officers in battle. Take out the leaders and chaos follows. This wasn’t just a tactical move in the Revolution, it has been a strategic plan of Satan for a long time. Get King Saul to disobey. Get King David to lust. Get the leaders and chaos will follow. Today, Satan’s sights are set upon shepherds and preachers, the leaders. Take them out and chaos follows.

 

  • The preacher has strengths and weaknesses like every member does
  • The preacher has a family and that can be peaceful or turmoil, like everyone else
  • The preacher has temptations just like everyone else
  • The preacher has moments when he is not so confident, just like everyone else
  • The preacher deals with his own family budgets, raising kids, trying to keep everyone happy, including in the church
  • The preacher often has a hard time getting away from the demands of the work. Even on vacation, he is thinking about what to preach when he gets back. He worries about complicated matters that have been placed on his heart. He wonders if he is doing enough. The larger the church the greater these pressures and these demands.
  • The preacher must continue to feed his faith and fight his battles, just like everyone else
  • The preacher needs Christ, just like everyone else
  • The preacher needs to be led by shepherds and watched over just like everyone else

 

A discouraged preacher doesn’t do his job as well as he ought to. This only adds more burdens when he recognizes this. His sermons slip. His classes are blan. His passion and his energy level falters. As these dark thoughts multiply, so do the thoughts of moving, getting out, or, in the sad story of the young California preacher, taking your life.

 

It is imperative that shepherds get out of the elders room and get among the flock. If they cannot recognize a discouraged preacher, who else in the congregation is discouraged and is not getting any help? Too much time is spent in discussing copiers, parking lots and paint colors and not on the people of God. All across this country, people are dying in the pews, and those who are to be watching, are not seeing it. They are oblivious to what is taking place. As long as there are no current mutinies, or poisonous teaching going on, it is assumed that all is well. Like too many homes today, all is not well, and no one sees that.

 

So, how do shepherds shepherd the preacher? That’s a great question that ought to lead to many conversations. In one way, just like they ought to shepherd all the members. Yet, in another way, because of the role the preacher plays, there may be some other signs and other details that they must consider. Walking out the door on Sunday morning and asking, “How ya’ doin’ preach?” probably won’t get much of an answer other than, “Ok.” Is that shepherding? Is your role finished because you asked him how he’s doing? Would he admit it if he even needed help? If he admitted that he needed you, would he take that as a sign of spiritual weakness and would he fear his job could be at stake? Does he have the relationship with the shepherds that he could be transparent, honest and open?

 

I’m not a shepherd, but I’m a preacher. I’ve been doing this preaching stuff for just about four decades. I’ve seen mountain top moments and I’ve been seen the valleys. So, here are a few thoughts:

 

First, like with any member, asking someone how they are doing won’t get to the heart of the matter. The right questions, the right moment and the right atmosphere is all very important. Walking out the front door on a Sunday morning is not the right time. Sitting around with all the elders won’t bring the right connections. Too many. Too fearful. But one on one, during a lunch, in a conversation, is the beginning steps.

 

Second, putting the job pressure at ease helps one to be open and honest. For the preacher, to find another preaching job means moving. It means pulling the kids out of school, selling the house, and moving, often across the country. Many times the preacher’s wife has a job. So, the pressure and the fears that come with job security are enormous. It’s unlike what most members face. Most, if they quit their jobs, they don’t have to move. So, put the preacher at ease about his job. Let him know that you are a friend and that you want to help.

 

Third, shepherd. Realize before you is a heart that the Lord loves. It needs to be protected. It needs to be prayed for. It needs to be encouraged. Do that. There are things said to the preacher that he never tells you. People who have never preached once in their life, seem to know just what a preacher ought to do. Their words can come out backwards and they can cut and hurt. Most preachers just take it in silence. Consider seeing him as a person that needs you and not an employee that you have hired. Share books with each other. Talk about things on your heart. Connect. Build a relationship of love and trust. All of this takes time.

 

Fourth, as Jesus showed in the story of the good Samaritan, prove yourself to be a neighbor, a friend, a caring shepherd to the preacher. Especially for the young preacher, he may view the shepherds as his bosses. He wants to please you but there is a barrier that keeps him distant from you. Do what you can to remove that barrier. Prove yourself to him.

 

Next time, we will take a look at the inner thoughts of a preacher and discouragement.

 

How is your preacher doing? Do you know? Do you really know? Don’t you think you should know.

Roger

 

04

Jump Start # 2174

Posted on September 4, 2018 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 2174

Matthew 16:23 “But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

 

Our verse today is harsh. The image of the smiling Jesus who leaped through flower fields, making everyone feel happy, patting children on the head and helping the less fortunate certainly cannot be found here. The manufactured Jesus of modern times likes to ignore passages like this one. It’s there. It’s real.

 

Having revealed the coming church/kingdom concept, Jesus then detailed His coming death. He knew the place, Jerusalem. He knew the key people who would lead this, the chief priests and elders. He knew what they would do, suffer many things and kill Him. He knew the time table, after three days He would be resurrected. Jesus knew all of these things going in to this. Not only had the prophets told about this, but Jesus was sent from Heaven for this. He was to be the lamb that was sacrificed for the sins of mankind.

 

Peter heard enough. It wasn’t going to be this way. He, in private, began to rebuke Jesus, which is astonishing. Peter said, “God forbid it.” No, God was for this. Remember, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…” It was God who gave. It was God who sent. No, God would not prevent this. Then, Peter said, “This shall never happen to You.” Did Peter know things that Jesus didn’t? Had Peter’s wishes came true, we’d not have the church, saved people, nor would we have hope, forgiveness or reconciliation with God. Jesus had to go to the cross. Peter just didn’t get it. He was hoping to be an encouragement and instead he became a major discouragement.

 

This is where our verse is found. Peter’s mind was on man’s interests, not God’s. Peter was not helping Jesus. He was a stumbling block. It would be hard enough for Jesus to go through these things, knowing what was to happen, and to lack the support of His those close to Him, further complicated things. And, then, in the most cutting remarks, the Lord said, “Get behind Me, Satan!”

 

Peter was not the devil. But his standing in the way of the Lord, was helping Satan, and not helping the Lord. Peter was acting the role of Satan. In many ways, Peter had become Satan’s puppet. Satan didn’t want salvation for our sins. Satan didn’t want a resurrected Jesus. Satan would do anything to prevent this. His words, though he thought were helpful, were not. He was not making things better. Jesus had to go to Calvary, with or without Peter’s support. Peter was making things more difficult.

 

This makes me wonder if it is possible for you and I to stand in the same shadows of Peter. Is it possible that we become Satan’s puppet. Rather than helping, we hurt. Rather than pursuing the things of God, we follow man’s interests. Instead of helping, we hurt.

 

This happens when we refuse to forgive and let things go. Like a scab, we continue to pick the wound, bleed and we never fully heal. We continue to tell others about how someone hurt us. The crowd of our supporters continues to grow. Sadly, much too often, months, even years pass, and we are still picking that scab and still keep those wounds open. We become so obsessed with what happened to us, that we forget God’s interests. We remain the victim and we by our words and actions, keep things stirred up and become the reason that some never feel united and included. Get behind Me, Satan!

 

This happens when we focus so much upon our schedules and not the good that can be accomplished by the work being done in the congregation. We are so tired, we complain. We don’t have time to come to more classes, more preaching, more opportunities. Not only do we not come, but we let our protests be heard by others. Not again. Not another meeting. And, rather than participating, growing and becoming stronger, we ignore such wonderful opportunities. We’re just too busy. The kids have too much going on. Rather than inviting co-workers and family to opportunities to hear the Gospel preached, we don’t show up ourselves. And, in the background we hear the Lord saying, You have your mind on man’s interests and not God’s.

 

This happens when we try to reshape the church into something it is never intended to be. We want social activities to keep young teens occupied. We want to get together and have sessions where we can complain and cry about how bad things are. We want the church to look and act like all the churches around us. And, when our suggestions are met with raised eyebrows and negative reactions, we become upset. What’ wrong with those people we think. Truth be, our minds may be on man’s interests and not God’s. What is the role of the church? What is the church supposed to do?

 

This happens when, like Peter, we believe our words are helpful, but they are not. Telling someone in a troubled marriage, “I wouldn’t put up with that,” plants the idea of leaving. Telling someone that “you deserve to be happy,” gives them a green light to break a commitment that they have made. “I wouldn’t do that,” or, “I’d give him a piece of my mind,” sounds wonderful when you are not the one who has to live with those consequences. Advising someone to just walk away from a marriage, quit a job, confront some injustice, sounds great from the back seat. It’s when you are in the driver’s seat that all of this looks differently. Where is the “Consider it all joy brethren when you encounter various trials?” Where are the Scriptures? Where are the passages that remind us of praying for our enemies? Where is the hang in there, and do what is right, thoughts? Where is the blessed are you when you are persecuted principles? Telling someone what you would do, may be sprinkled with man’s interests and not God’s.

 

God never promised every day to be sunny. God never tells us to run from trouble. God never said that there is no benefit to suffering. Man’s interests takes him to happiness, sunshine and what is easy. God’s interests takes us to what is right, holy and honoring Him. If Peter had his way, Jesus would have never gone to the cross. Good for Jesus, terrible for us. We must wonder, if we have our way, is it good for us, but terrible for the church? Terrible for the kingdom? Terrible for our influence? Terrible for God?

 

Some of these thoughts must filter down to a family leaving a congregation. New job. New city. Great upside potential with a company. On paper it looks great. But what about spiritually. Could it be that the congregation you leave had you in the radar to be an elder? Could it be that you were very helpful in your teaching and helping them? What’s the spiritual climate if you move? Will you just blend in and not be as active as before? Moving to a place with no shepherds and no shepherds even in the future? Now, we must consider, God’s interests or man’s interests? Good for the career may not always be good for the kingdom. Good for the career may not always be good for the family. Good for the career may not always be good spiritually.

 

Man’s interests or God’s interests—that has always been the challenge. What looks good to us may not be what is really good according to God. What sounds like encouragement may actually be discouraging. What we feel like is great advice, may be pitiful. It is easy to become Satan’s puppet.

 

We must put God’s interests before our own. We must put God’s interests at the top of the page. What would God have me to do is better to ask than, “What do you want to do?”

 

Roger