Our Father

As my family drove down the road the other day, my son said a very hurtful thing to me and my wife. He said, “I wish I lived with Nana and Papa instead.” Now, we understand that he was only saying this because he wanted to play a particular videogame at their house, and didn’t realize that his statement would hurt our feelings, but still stung a little. After all, we go out of our way everyday to make sure that not only are his needs met, but that he has many of the things he wants as well. I had to explain to him that by saying that he would rather have that videogame, than live with us, that he was saying that the videogame was more important than us. He quickly changed his tune.

How many times have I said “this is more important” to YHWH through my own actions?! How many times have I skipped prayer time to watch TV, read or even play videogames?! I’m guilty of the same thing that my son is! I am even worse, because I know better. I know first hand the honor and blessing that spending time in prayer is. I know that my relationship with Him is primary, and affects every other relationship in my life, and yet I still fall prey to my own self-centeredness. I thank God that He is infinitely more patient and gentle in His care and instruction for His children, than we are for ours.

Follow The Leader

"The desire for virtue is frustrated in many men of good will by the distaste they instinctively feel for the false virtues of those who are supposed to be holy. Sinners have a very keen eye for false virtues and a very exacting idea of what virtue should be in a good man. If in the men who are supposed to be good they only see a "virtue" which is effectively less vital and less interesting than their own vices they will conclude that virtue has no meaning, and will cling to what they have although they hate it."

- excerpt from Thoughts in Solitude by Thomas Merton

AMEN! I know many ministers (in all types of ministry) that have been effected by this at some point in their lives. Young and gifted men have their spirits and hearts broken by controlling and patronizing leaders everyday. This stifles the very growth that these leaders are praying for, and leads others to abuse the grace of God. It is a wicked cycle that must be broken!

Too many people in the body of Christ hide behind a mask of false virtue. Those of us who have been called to lead in some shape, form, or fashion, must be careful to lead the way Jesus does. With humility. With honesty. Not only teaching, but serving and sacrificing. It is important that leaders confess their sins and weaknesses to those whom they are leading! When we don't, we let on that we are above reproach, and those whom we are trying to lead, may just see their vices as more acceptable than our false virtues. I don't even want to give someone the chance to call me a hypocrite!

I have also learned from experience that we can't go around blaming another person's flaws for our lack of commitment. Jesus also teaches us not to hold others to a higher standard than we do ourselves (Matthew 7 & Luke 6).

We are all sinners. And to unbelievers, or even new believers, we are "those who are supposed to be holy." So...

...Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Gal 6:9-10

I guess I could have just said "keep it real" but what's the fun in that?!