Proverbs 24:16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. ESV
If I could I would ask for a raise of hands right now of those who have made a nobody else to blame, self created mess at home, church, work, or school. For my own sanity I hope that at least one person reading this would be raising their hand.
Time and pride keep me from giving example. Let's just say that it would not be hard for those around me to quickly retell of events. It would be one thing if there was someone to ligitimently to blame. But, saddly no.
It is very easy to want to runaway from our disasters. Even if we do not run physically, we fantize about another job, church, or mythical environment where we are happy and successful
Maybe that is where you are. You wish you did most if not all things well. Never mixup an order, fail a test, or break a tool. The bad news is in this life that day will never come. The good news is that you really are not the worst or only one who messes up. You may have to stop focusing on yourself all the time to notice.
The great news is God can and will use your messes. God is so powerful, wise and loving that He is worthy to be trusted and followed even in our failures.
The key is to not focus on staying on the ground. I use to have a kids blowup punching bag when I was I in grade school. I think it was Captain America or Iron Man. Anyway it was the one where hit it, it would fall back and then stand right back. No matter how hard I hit or kicked it, it came right back.
If we fall and stay down (mentally or physically) our true joy is gone and the life story is just about over. But if we get up (seek God's help and maybe forgivence) we are ready to show others God is still ready, willing, and able to use us for His glory.
How about you tired of falling into messes of your own making? Don't stay on the ground! Look up and get up. True humility admits mistakes, sins, and need for help. Staying down gives into pride and selfishness.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Saturday, May 09, 2009
The Power to Divide
2Samuel 15:3-4 Absalom would say to him, "See, your claims are good and right, but there is no man designated by the king to hear you." 4Then Absalom would say, "Oh that I were judge in the land! Then every man with a dispute or cause might come to me, and I would give him justice."(ESV)
It has been said that Absalom had it all. A rich, powerful, and spiritual family heritage. Physically, he was probably a handsome man with a good amount of educated intelligence. By some he may even have been in line for the throne. God had promised his father David a long line of rule for his descendants. What great potential he had and probably alot of people watching him as he grew up and seemed to follow in his dad's footsteps.
But, Absalom just could not wait. He knew he had influence on people already. Maybe that boosted his esteem, or fed his desire for power. Maybe he just was tired of being taken for granted or unappreciated for his talents. Whatever the motivation, he was now on a path of usurping his father's authority in subtle an not so subtle ways.
Sowing discord, or doubt in the loyalty toward leadership is the most common of methods of division. I have been the "Second man" for over 22 years under 3 different pastors. Plus I have had more bosses in more jobs than I can remember. There is one common threat to all these leaders and that is ease of distrust, disunity, and discouragement just by a few reckless, or destructive words. I wonder how many church splits could have been averted or at least minimized if the assistant stood with the pastor instead of standing with preference. The workplace believer, just as the assistant pastor must be on guard not to say or agree with statements like: If I were leader I would..., the leader is okay, but...., nobody listens to me... etc.
Sometimes we walk a fine line. I once coined a saying "an assistant pastor (or workplace believer) should not be a yes person, but he/she should be accused of it once in a while." We should never sacrifice principle for unity, but we should never sacrifice unity for pride.
It has been said that Absalom had it all. A rich, powerful, and spiritual family heritage. Physically, he was probably a handsome man with a good amount of educated intelligence. By some he may even have been in line for the throne. God had promised his father David a long line of rule for his descendants. What great potential he had and probably alot of people watching him as he grew up and seemed to follow in his dad's footsteps.
But, Absalom just could not wait. He knew he had influence on people already. Maybe that boosted his esteem, or fed his desire for power. Maybe he just was tired of being taken for granted or unappreciated for his talents. Whatever the motivation, he was now on a path of usurping his father's authority in subtle an not so subtle ways.
Sowing discord, or doubt in the loyalty toward leadership is the most common of methods of division. I have been the "Second man" for over 22 years under 3 different pastors. Plus I have had more bosses in more jobs than I can remember. There is one common threat to all these leaders and that is ease of distrust, disunity, and discouragement just by a few reckless, or destructive words. I wonder how many church splits could have been averted or at least minimized if the assistant stood with the pastor instead of standing with preference. The workplace believer, just as the assistant pastor must be on guard not to say or agree with statements like: If I were leader I would..., the leader is okay, but...., nobody listens to me... etc.
Sometimes we walk a fine line. I once coined a saying "an assistant pastor (or workplace believer) should not be a yes person, but he/she should be accused of it once in a while." We should never sacrifice principle for unity, but we should never sacrifice unity for pride.
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