Meditations of a Young Minister:
27 Reflections on Life and Ministry
Todd Stiles
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2010 Todd Stiles
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
Thank you for downloading this free ebook. You are welcome to share it with your friends. This book may be reproduced, copied and distributed for non-commercial purposes provided the book remains in its complete original form. Thank you.
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Table of Contents
Dedication
Preface
Poor Old David
Fed Up or Fed Up?
The Mighty Mite
Have a Good Workout
To Do or Not To Do, Is That the Question?
Go On
Baa, Baa Black Sheep
Contented or Cemented
The Danger of a Misplaced Emphasis
The Woman Behind the Man
How's Your Approach?
The "D" Word
When the Going Gets Tough
Close Encounters with the Incarnated Kind
Starting Over
A Lesson from Laodicea
The Reason
They'll Be Like Us
The Pitfall of Performance
I'm Mad!
Where Has
All the Passion Gone?
Hurry Up and Wait
What Do You See?
No Matter How You Slice It
Fire in the Pulpit
It's a Matter of Perspective
The Forgotten Ministry
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Dedication
To my wife, Julie –
You’re my best friend and true love. Thanks for all the hours you listened to my dreams, smiled upon my idealism, and let me think out loud. This book is just one result of those memories.
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Preface
It’s one thing to simply do ministry. It’s quite another to think about how and why you do ministry. Perhaps that’s the hidden goal of this book: to get you to think by reading my thoughts.
It’s no doubt a proper goal. Oh, I’m sure you think. But not everyone. And not youth leaders (if you pay attention to the stereotype painted by most churches). We’re considered “youth guys” who get paid to play.
Enough with the image of the non-thinking babysitter. Youth leaders do think, and most think really well. It is my prayer that Meditations of a Young Minister will simply reveal one youth leader’s thoughts – mine – on a variety of subjects, prodding you to re-think and re-consider your own. I’m not out to convince you or change your mind. Only to compel you to think about some issues from a different angle perhaps. Or from another’s perspective. See what it looks like from another view.
After all, isn’t that the essence of thinking – to intently ponder something until the “light bulb” turns on and it all makes sense? That’s where these reflections originated – a deliberate and thoughtful moment or two – and where I hope they culminate.
Todd Stiles
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Acknowledgements
There’s no way to adequately express my appreciation to the many people involved in this simple collection. From those who edited to those who proofed to those who critiqued, each one played an important role in helping the finished project end on time and in better shape than the original version. I sincerely thank all my processors and proofers – dad and mom, Cindy, Steve, Kelly, Colleen, and my writing students at the Network.
And I am very grateful to the many students who, over the years, were my ministry laboratory. Without you all I could never have tested my theories and thoughts.
But most of all I am deeply appreciative to my family. Thanks, Julie and kids, for understanding the early mornings, the late nights, and the weird speeches at the dinner table. You’ve let me do more than enter text on a page; you’ve allowed me the privilege of pouring out my life through words. Thanks!
While my name may be on the front as the author, truly these devotionals are a collection of many people’s handprints – people who have invested in me and loved me. They are the writers; I am only the pen.
Todd
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Poor Old David
Poor old David. He never had the chance to go to Disney World, see Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck, ride Space Mountain, or visit Epcot Center. He never saw an automatic coffee maker, a gas grill, or an electric drill; he never knew the thrill of a home-run, the excitement of an airplane ride, or the energy in the air at a Super Bowl. Poor David. Poor old David.
Poor old David. He never had the opportunity to taste fried okra, to experience a tractor ride, to feel the power of a rocket underneath his feet. He never knew the joy of microwave cooking, or the wonder of radiation treatment. Poor David. Poor old David.
Poor old David. He never experienced electricity, felt the vitality of a hot shower, or knew the relief in a chilling glass of ice-cold water. He missed the opportunity to have Pop Tarts for breakfast, watch the miracle of television, or sense amazement in a simple telephone conversation. He never had the chance to visit Six Flags, watch a scary movie, or shop at a grocery store. Poor David. Poor old David.
Poor old David. He never watched a circus, rode a Ferris wheel, or drove a car. He never cruised the ocean on a steam liner or criss-crossed America on Amtrak. He never fired a rifle, changed the oil in his truck, or wrote a check. Poor David. Poor old David.
But he did have time to watch a sunset, feel the breeze on a windy day, and enjoy the shade of a mighty oak. He did have time to simply enjoy the presence of God, to commune intimately with Him, to talk with the Savior daily. Personally. Quietly. He did have the stillness of the mornings and the silence of the evenings, the quietness of the day and the calmness of the night.
Yes, he did have time to talk to his father, laugh with his brothers, and cry with his mother. He did have time to eat dinner with his family, find out what happened in each of their lives, and run and play with his children. He did have time to learn, to sing, to write, to create; he did have time to develop close family ties and strong personal commitments. He did have time to sit still, listening intently to the voice of God for direction, guidance, comfort, and peace. He did have time to worship, to stand in awe of Almighty God, to reverence the name of our blessed Jesus. He did have time to praise the Father, to make music for the Master, to rejoice within his soul over the goodness of the Lord.
He did have time to love God with all of his heart and soul and mind, to gaze upon the loveliness of Christ, and to feed in the rich pastures of His heavenly meadow. He did have time to think, to wonder, to question, to ponder. He did have time to weep, to mourn, to laugh, to share. Simply put, David had time.
Maybe David wasn't so poor after all. Sure, he missed the crazy twenty-first century when life's pace is faster than ever; sure, he missed the automation and technology of our computer age; sure, he missed the skyscrapers and high rise buildings, the underground transportation and intercontinental flights. But so what.
David had the one thing all of us work so hard to find -- time. He had the one thing needed far more than luxury, comfort, or accommodations. He had the tool by which he was able to carve out a strong relationship with God, a healthy self-image, and a close family unit. He had the instrument which enabled him to write splendid poetry, beautiful psalms, and heartbreaking tragedies. He had the one element that we find so illusive: Time.
Today we move faster, go farther, soar higher, dig deeper, and work longer; today we have all the conveniences that should enable us to have more time. Yet, we don't. We can keep time, watch time, store time, save time, invest time, and tell time. But we still haven't found a way to make time.
Poor old David. He never knew the rush of traffic, or felt the push of a hundred people in a mall; he never knew the nagging buzz of an alarm clock or the constant ringing of the telephone.
But he did feel the softness in a green, grassy hillside, and know the coolness of a crystal, clear lake; he did understand the meaning of rest, and he did grasp the concept of peace. He did know the joy of time. Time with God. Time with himself.
Poor David. Poor old David.
Reflect
1. When it comes to your time and life management, which most closely resembles you:
a. “I’m an out-of-shape workaholic on a treadmill. I’m running hard but never getting anywhere!”
b. “I’m a ‘time tool’ junkie, always experimenting with the latest gadget designed to help me get my life under control.”
c. “I’m a bystander on a busy freeway. I watch countless things zoom by everyday, afraid to get involved because I’ll probably get run over.”
d. “I’m a tourist, enjoying life during my stay here.”
2. Do you think you are just “one more time management tool away” from getting your life under control? Why?
3. Read Ephesians 5:15-16. What is our motivation for “making the most of every opportunity?”
4. How could you slow down the pace of your life without reducing its impact?
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Fed Up or Fed Up?
Remember as a kid, just before dinner, how you got the sudden urge to have a snack? Even if the evening meal was only ten minutes away, it was impossible to wait; those cookies and milk were too irresistible!
But remember the inevitable result? If somehow you were able to talk your mother into giving you a snack, it only satisfied temporarily. In fact, it even ruined your appetite for the real food at dinner. What once seemed to be so inviting and filling ended up doing more damage than good.
Funny, isn’t it? I mean kids. They can’t wait to have their tummy filled at dinner, so they eat a snack, hoping it’ll do the job ahead of time. Actually, snacks never really fill the stomach; they only appease the taste buds, which, in turn, fool the mind, making us temporarily forget about our real hunger and need for nutrition. And therein lies the oddity about snacks: They never totally satisfy, and end up stealing any appetite we might have for healthy food. Apparently, snacks serve very little purpose at all, except to cause a multitude of pre-dinner arguments between parents and kids.
There are a lot of Christians who are getting fed the same way we did as kids – with snacks! And it is ruining their appetite for real meat. Sadly, church leaders across America are doling out sermonettes, social speeches, and motivational talks, each void of a common nutritional element: Scripture. Consequently, there are more starving and malnourished Christians than ever before, immature believers who’ve been fed evangelical TV dinners and midnight snacks. If we think simple milk will suffice as complete nutrition when we have a battle to fight, we are sadly mistaken; we will find ourselves lacking health and vitality.
The writer of Hebrews urges us to go beyond the elementary things and move on to perfection — maturity. We are not told to abandon the basics; only to move beyond them. His instruction is analogous to the growth process of humans. When we are young, we feed strictly on milk. But as time goes on, we move on to things of a meatier substance. We never abandon milk; it is still a part of our diet. Simply not to the extent it was when we were babies. Get the picture?
I am not a nutritional expert. Stop by some Friday evening and you’ll probably find me, my wife, and kids all enjoying a late night pizza along with a good movie (and what’s worse is I have the leftovers for breakfast!). Spot us in the mall and you will see us delightfully devouring a funnel cake. Catch us at a ball game and you’re likely to see a soft drink and a hot dog in our hands.
But I know, in the spiritual realm, snacks will not enable us to run the marathon of life. Sermons filled only with illustrations and funny jokes, without any substantial connection to the Scriptures, may cause us to laugh, but they will not help us go on toward completion. It takes the Word of God -- the meat of Scripture accurately taught and relevantly applied -- to stir us out of our “pew potato” condition.
Fed up with an unhealthy menu of spiritual snacks? Ready for a buffet of the choicest cuts from the Master’s table? Get out your knife and fork and dig in to the Word. Go ahead and take a bite out of the Bible. Don’t worry . . . God won’t let you choke.
Reflect
1. The writer of Hebrews indicates in 5:13-14 that the Jewish believers were stunted in their growth. What was his reasoning behind this accusation?
2. Reread Hebrews 6:1. How are you “moving on” in your personal walk with God? Are you intentionally seeking to expand your knowledge of the Holy One and of things that pertain to your faith? If not, why? Pinpoint the reasons for your stall, then think of two things you could do this week to jump-start your engine, moving you toward a deeper walk with Christ.
3. What are some ways you, as a leader, could assist others in their desire to go beyond the basics? Write out two or three action steps you could take over the next few days to help those closest to you grow stronger in the Word and in their knowledge of God.
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The Mighty Mite
Look around and you will notice a discouraging trend in this day of space age science and hi-tech computers: the bigger the better! The retailer with the biggest volume gets the most business; the restaurant with the largest variety attracts the most customers. The church with the biggest congregation receives the noblest applause. We have sadly degenerated into a culture that thrives upon numbers. The more the merrier, you might say. People are after the car phone with the most coverage, the house with the most square footage, the job with the highest salary, and the auto that travels the furthest distance in the least amount of time with the fewest repairs.
Unfortunately, we, the church of Jesus Christ, have silently bought into this faulty way of thinking. We want the evangelist with the most decisions, the Sunday school with the largest attendance, and the church with the biggest auditorium. We like the largest offerings, the biggest crowds, and the highest attendance. I often wonder what Jesus would say if He were to see us in our state of panic in this numerical maze.
But our problem is not a new one. Mark 12 indicates there were “ladder climbers” and “image-a-holics” in the day of Jesus as well. Imagine the scene in your minds eye: Proud, prating men in long, flowing robes, casually sauntering to the front of the temple to make their offerings – large ones at that. Slowly, methodically, mechanically each one places his offering, noisy coin by noisy coin, in the designated trumpet-shaped receptacle. As the coins drop one by one into the container, the crowds turn to see just who is giving such great amounts of money to God. To no one's surprise it is the Pharisees. And as the people gaze in awe at the spiritual elite, these Pharisees smile and take a spiritual bow, gloating in their glory.
But today there is someone new in the audience: Jesus. And He is not impressed at all by the show. Suddenly, a small lady, with a frail frame, makes her way to the front of the temple and insignificantly places in a simple mite, a coin worth about a nickel in today's economy. She leaves as quietly as she entered, hoping no one would notice her. But someone did.
Yes, Jesus noticed her. But what will He say? What does He consider to be the most impressive? Will he verbally scourge the widow and praise the Pharisees? Will He condemn the elderly for giving such a small amount when everyone else made such a great sacrifice? Or did they? What is the essence of sacrifice--amount given or amount left over? Now we finally see what Jesus loved about the precious lady of old and her simple gift.
It was not the amount of her offering that impressed God, just as it was not the largeness of the Pharisee's gift that he denounced. But it was the element of sacrifice that impressed our Savior. You see, when the Pharisees gave, they gave of their "abundance" (verse 44); the widow gave out of her poverty. Suddenly, it is clear that sacrifice has nothing to do with size, for God takes notice, not only of how much we give, but also of how much we have left over. When the tiny widow gave that one, single mite, it was all she had. And that is all that God wanted. Nothing more. Nothing larger. Just that one, simple mite.
Is that really all she gave? No, on the contrary. When she gave that one, insignificant mite, she gave her next meal, her next wardrobe, her next gift for a friend. Yes, she gave more than a simple monetary item; she gave all she had! Now she had nothing left. No more resources. No more savings. She had given it away to the blessed Savior, a sacrifice that prompted the Almighty God of the universe to sit up and take notice.
I’m not sure if the widow of Mark 12 would survive in our culture. She wouldn’t get noticed on the church financial report, and she probably wouldn’t get her name in the church bulletin. She would, more than likely, be overlooked at the annual stewardship banquet, and would not even be missed at the yearly budget meeting. But in God's economy, “bigger” is not always “better.” She attracted God's attention, a feat the Pharisees could not accomplish with their millions.
The next time you are tempted to pad the attendance report to impress the church board, think back to the poor widow who had very little according to man, yet caused very Deity to smile with approval. Realize it is not size that impresses our Lord, but sacrifice. For even the smallest of gifts, when given out of our need, are mighty enough to catch the eye of the One who gave all He had -- God. Now that's a mighty mite!
Reflect
1. What motivates you to give to God? Is it a desire to “look good” in front of others? “Feel good” about yourself? “Act good” in front of God?
2. Think of two or three differences between superficial giving and sacrificial giving based upon the passage in focus (Mark 12), as well as a time you gave in both ways (though at different times). Now meditate upon those different experiences, allowing the Holy Spirit to teach you.
3. How would you feel if the person next to you in church dropped in a $100 bill during the offering while you only gave a dollar? Why would you feel that way?
4. Memorize II Corinthians 9:7, making a special effort to “laugh” every time you have the wonderful opportunity to give this week, regardless of the amount.
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Have a Good Workout
I remember, as a high school senior, the daily routine of wrestling practice. What a tough job! Running the stairs, throwing the dummy, wrestling the coach, cutting weight -- Sometimes I wonder why I was even attracted to such a sport.
One thing that remains distinct in my memory, though, is my father's words each day as I left his office to go to the gym. Without fail, I heard these encouraging remarks, "Have a good workout." Day after day, week after week, my father supported me verbally in my grappling endeavor. And he did a good job of it. I hung in there, eventually qualifying for the State Regional Wrestling Tournament.
Paul wrote some similar words to encourage us in Philippians 2. Notice: "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now, much more in my absence, work out your own salvation, with fear and trembling."
Did you catch the words "work out?" Paul is challenging us to have a good workout before we charge into the world to engage its philosophies, ideas, and concepts. But how? How does a Christian have a good spiritual workout? The answer is in the following verses. Here's how!
1. Display the right attitude. "Do all things without murmuring and complaining."
How will the lost ever know that Jesus really changes people if they don't see it in our attitudes at work? Think twice before you complain next time.
2. Develop the right attributes. "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God."
How will unbelievers really believe in God if they don't see lives that are a tribute to His grace and mercy, His compassion, and love, lives that are committed to a lifestyle of following Jesus. Think twice before you compromise.
3. Demonstrate the right attractiveness. "...among whom ye shine as lights in the world."
How will the world ever see that Christ is the light if we don't shine brightly in a society so desperately needing direction and guidance? Think twice before you sin!
You see, we believers must become spiritually fit; it is urgent we get in shape. Why? The world is demanding it! They are dying – literally -- for the lack of someone who can show them the way out of bondage and slavery, leading them to peace and contentment. But that job can only be done by someone who is regularly working out. Are you?
If you listen real close, I bet you can hear your heavenly Father talking to you right now. What is He saying? He is encouraging you, as you make your way out your front door into a world of black corruption and dark perversion, to stay strong and firm. To be light and salt. To love and show compassion. As you enter the arena of life to grapple with its many temptations, He is urging you to strive for the crown. To run the race to win. To fight as one that is well conditioned and well trained. Listen. Shhhhh. He is telling you to have a good workout. Well, what are you waiting for?
Reflect
1. What does the attitude of your heart display to others – that you’re a victor or a victim?
2. If you were to recommend a spiritual exercise and fitness program for a friend, what would be the primary exercises you’d include? Are you involved in these?
3. Read Philippians 1:9-11. If a growing love is the muscle we’re trying to improve, what two things help us accomplish that? Consider using a handy Bible dictionary to help you further with these word meanings. Write them in a journal, reflecting on ways you could implement both.
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To Do or Not To Do, Is That the Question?
One of the world's most beloved poets and writers, Shakespeare, may very well be most famous for a line which I think every college freshman has quoted at least once during their time in English Literature 101: "To be or not to be, that is the question." And though the question may be old, it is still relevant and worth asking. But for some reason, we, as Christians, have quit asking the question Shakespeare posed and replaced it with one of our own. We now ask “To do or not to do?”
There are now more demands for our time than ever before. More people asking for a piece of our life, more ministries asking for our volunteer help, more organizations begging us for assistance and help. The choir director needs one more tenor, the nursery needs an extra worker for Sunday, the teens need a bus driver for the mission trip, and the pastor needs people to help in the office. Everywhere you turn there is someone pulling you, pushing you, or pointing you out as the perfect person to "step in and do the job."
Admit it – we’re busy people. Probably too busy. We’ve replaced being with doing, substance with image, fellowship with activity. Our schedule and life-pace remind me of Luke's account of Mary & Martha, two sisters who were close friends with Christ, and their different reactions to the visit of Jesus.
Upon Christ’s visit, Mary the “be-er” found her way immediately to the Savior's feet, listening intently to every word that fell from the mouth of the Incarnate Word. Martha the “do-er,” though, found herself so busy working for the Lord she practically forgot about being with the Lord. Finally, Jesus gently took her aside and encouraged her, helping her avoid the distractions all around. She was, in the words of Jesus, “cumbered” and “troubled” by so much activity that she was missing the unique fellowship awaiting her in the very next room!
Ever felt like Martha? Who hasn't! Sometimes we get so busy in God's work that the work itself begins to blur our vision, blinding us from the real reason we’re even involved in ministry in the first place. Are you staring at a schedule completely filled with good, wholesome, church-related activities, but a life void of motivation? Are you scanning the calendar, noticing endless weekends packed with spiritual appointments and little appointed time with God? Does getting away, either by yourself or with your family, seem impossible because of the many religious obligations to which you are committed? Funny, isn't it? We are doing more and enjoying it less. Yet, we continue to do until we are done in, both physically and spiritually.
If Christ were with us in bodily form today, I bet He would give us the same counsel He gave Martha centuries ago: “Slow down! Take time to unload! Don’t settle for just doing. Be!” There’s no doubt He would compel us to stop doing so much for Him, and start simply enjoying Him.
When is the last time you had 30 minutes alone with God, just you and Him? Can you even remember it? Be encouraged! Jesus is still there, waiting in that familiar place where you used to meet daily. Yes, He is still there. And He is still waiting to commune with you on an intimate level. One on one. Personally.
The next time a friend wants you to commit another part of your life to someone else's schedule, an acquaintance wishes to grab more of your family time, or you are tempted to get more involved in order to feel better, ask yourself, "To do or not to do, is that really the question?"
Reflect
1. How much of your schedule centers on God’s blessings, not His presence? Do you find yourself seeking His hand more than His face?
2. Is the reason you have become so busy because you don’t really want God to expose what is behind your mask? Read I John 1:9 and meditate on the phrase “walking in the light.”
3. Are you willing to replace the mask of doing with the role of being? If so, what is the first change you will need to make in your
a. schedule?
b. attitude
c. relationships?
4. Ideally, being and doing connect. Think for a few moments about how these two could work together in your life to give you proper balance.
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Go On
It has been a pretty bad day today. My boss came in and was upset, an irate parent called and climbed my case, and some of the kids just don’t understand the reasons behind some of the guidelines. But I think I’ll go on anyway.
This morning I found out that the car needed a tune up; just last week it needed new tires. And our insurance premium is due next week. The house seems to be falling apart, the appliances hardly ever work properly, and all we ever get in the mail is bills. But I think I’ll go on anyway.
Money seems real tight, as it always does. The budget looks good on paper, but hardly ever seems to work. Our vacation plans fell through, and I found out that we are going to have to work longer hours next month. And still no raise. But I think I’ll go on anyway.
Why? Why keep going on? Why not go ahead and give up? Is it really worth it to try and keep your head above water? It would be easier to sink than swim!
Perhaps the Apostle Paul had some of these same feelings when he wrote, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed ... though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
I like to think Paul felt like giving up in these verses; because he did. I like to think he was as human as the rest of us; he was. But he went on anyway. Somewhere in the inner resources of Paul’s soul, he found strength to go on when the circumstances were screaming for him to quit. Somehow he found the courage and fortitude to get up and try again, when the odds were all against him. Somehow, some way, Paul went on.
I like to think Job felt like giving up when he penned the words in Job 3:3, “Let the day perish wherein I was born...” Job probably wished he could have thrown in the towel, hung it up and walked away. But he went on anyway. Betrayed by his friends, forsaken by his wife, attacked by Satan and scourged by his very own conscious, he went on anyway. I wonder how he found strength enough to even face another day? I ponder how he could even awake to another morning of grief and suffering. But somehow, some way, he went on.
I like to think King David felt like running and hiding when his own son, in an act of betrayal, turned on him and sought to kill him. I like to think the very king of Israel sought to escape when his kingdom was stolen. Because he did. But he went on anyway. Though the nation cared little for a man after God’s heart and though few friends could be found, he went on anyway. Somehow, some way, he went on.
I like to think there are days you would rather give up than fight. Because there are. I like to think that you feel beaten, discouraged, and pressured. Because you do. But you’ll go on anyway. And you should. Even if the world laughs at you for claiming Jesus as your Lord, and even if there seems to be little justice for believers, go on anyway. Regardless of the cost, in spite of the difficulties, go on anyway. Paul did. Job did. David did. No matter how long the road or how tiny the path, just go on anyway.
Why? Why bear the burdens when there is no strength? Why carry the load when there is no endurance? Because my Savior traveled the road in the storm and forged a trail amidst the thunder. That’s why. Because Jesus did.
I like to think my Jesus felt like passing the cup of grief when He cried, “Not my will but thine be done.” Because He did. I like to think He searched for another way to buy man’s pardon and purchase our redemption when he fell beneath the weight of the cross, stumbling up Calvary’s hill. Because He did. But He went on anyway. Even though the crack of the soldier’s whip pierced his ear, and even though the cry of the crowd broke his heart, He went on anyway. Amidst the shame of a naked crucifixion and the humiliation of an angry, hostile crowd, the Savior went on anyway. Regardless of the nails and in spite of the spear, He went on anyway. Somehow. Some way. Yes, my Jesus went on anyway. Through the darkness, the rain, the blood, and the shame, God the Son just went on anyway.
Yes, it has been a bad day. But I think I’ll go on anyway.
Reflect
1. Read I Corinthians 13:4-7. What is the only thing that can truly motivate us to persevere?
2. Paul said his circumstances helped “further” the Gospel (Phil 1). Do you look at your uncomfortable situations in this way, hoping that even the bad things will give the Gospel greater progress?
3. Generally, we lose motivation and lean towards quitting when…
a. we lose control,
b. we are wrong and don’t want to admit it, or
c. what we’re doing is not to our personal advantage.
While none are proper, with which do you struggle when the temptation to quit attacks? Why?
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Baa, Baa Black Sheep
Ever been confronted with a counterfeit? I mean a real counterfeit (now there’s an oxymoron)! If so, you know how difficult it is to tell the difference between a fake and the original.
I recall back in the late 70’s and early 80’s there was a man who became quite proficient at counterfeiting celebrities and stars, both in the athletic realm and theater. One instance that really stands out in my mind is the time this man imitated a major league baseball player for the Dodgers and dressed out for the all-star game. In fact, he even got so far as taking the field during warm up and shagging flies with the rest of the team. Quite impressive, eh? Eventually the authorities realized the error and took prompt action to correct the situation. Believe me, the folks at that game never forgot what they had seen.
Anecdotes like that remind me that counterfeits are still all around me. Oh, maybe not so much as a gag or stunt. But they are still all around me. The irony is that these counterfeits are not aware they are imitations. And just who are these imitators? Black sheep! Let me explain.
Christ refers to his children as sheep and to Himself as the Shepherd. In John 10 the Lord talks very plainly and openly about the difference between real sheep and false sheep – black sheep, if you will. He gives us crucial birthmarks that will identify the genuine from the counterfeit; the true from the false; the original from the copy. Knowing these birthmarks is important, for it enables those of us who are truly part of His fold to recognize those who would lead us astray. Notice some of these family characteristics:
1. Real sheep know the voice of the shepherd. (10: 4)
2. Real sheep will not follow a stranger. (10:5)
3. Real sheep know where to find pasture. (10:9)
Sure, there are more, but these are the three primary marks of genuine authenticity. And how helpful they are when we have to discern between the true and the false.
But what about when our eyes turn inward and our fingers point back to us? Are we willing to hold ourselves to this same standard? We are proud to be part of the family of God when we need security and affirmation, but not very quick to own up to the family name when we are ridiculed at the office.
So what is the essence of being true? Of being real? Is it simply claiming a name, being a part of an organization, accepting something as believable? Or is it identifying with and making it part of your lifestyle, part of your being, part of your very nature?
I’m not sure if I have any of the answers, but I am sure that within all of us, at one point or another, dwells something that tempts us to be a counterfeit, something that makes the art of imitation seem alluring.
I’ve been there. I’ve been to that place where I have felt like throwing away all forms of authenticity and have been tempted to simply fake it for a day or two. It would seem a lot easier to just make the ministry my job, and forget my calling to be a committed Christian after 5:00. It would seem a lot easier to leave my convictions inside the church after the worship hour. It would seem a lot easier to pretend to care for others than to really love someone enough to sacrifice. But then I would be no different than the next counterfeit. I would be just like all the other imitators -- cheap.
The voice of Christ calls me to be real. It calls me to be genuine and authentic. But if I choose to ignore that voice and follow a stranger, then I choose to be a counterfeit.
What voice do you hear right now? Are you tuned in to the voice of the shepherd? Real sheep hear His voice and will not follow strangers. Strangers? Like the false voice of money, or the false voice of materialism; the false voice of drugs, or the false voice of popularity; like the false voice of selfishness, or the false voice of instant gratification. And like all counterfeits and imitations, it doesn’t take long till the truth is known and the imitation exposed.
Don’t fall for the trick of the counterfeit; don’t be misled by the disguise of the imitator. Challenge yourself to be real, genuine, and true to the core.
Checked your wool lately? There are a lot of counterfeits around, all thinking they’re part of the fold, all thinking they’re one of the sheep. The shepherd knows which one you are. Do you?
Reflect
1. What hinders you from hearing the voice of God?
Unforgiveness? Rebellion to authority? Pride? Division?
2. When you ponder “genuineness,” how do you intend to become even more authentic?
3. It’s clear the Shepherd knows us. But how deeply do you want to know Him (Phil. 3:10)? What words would characterize your desire to know Christ?
4. How related are the words intimacy and authenticity? Meditate on these two words for a few moments, writing in your journal your thoughts and discoveries.
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Contented or Cemented?
It happens every time. Just as sure as Moe or Larry pokes Curly in the eyes, one of the Three Stooges gets his feet stuck in cement. And I’m sure you’ve seen them do it. On the sidewalk or in the street, it happens in nearly every episode. One of those bungling brothers seems to end up with his shoes firmly planted in fresh cement.
Some of my friends have been watching too many episodes of the Three Stooges. Oh, they are not physically cemented into a sidewalk or street; but their attitude is definitely cemented onto Complainer’s Avenue. Everything that happens to them is someone else’s fault. No matter what comes their way they didn’t deserve it; nothing is ever good enough for them, and there never seems to be anything that can really make them happy. Some people just like to wallow in the cement of discontentment.
Asaph, a musician during David’ and Solomon’s reign, felt the feelings of discontentment at one point. In Psalm 73 gives us a glimpse into Asaph’s heart at his real feelings and his real questions. Notice his frustration:
“Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world ... truly I have cleansed my heart in vain.”
Sounds like a frustrated and discontented man, doesn’t it? But haven’t we all felt that way at one time or another? You bet!
Ever wonder why the drunken driver rarely gets killed, only the innocent on-comer? Or why your pastor’s baby died when thousands of ungodly parents have healthy, little children? Or why your wife was diagnosed with cancer while your neighbor’s wife, who never gives God a single thought, looks healthier and younger as each day passes? Or why you lost your job to a humanistic, selfish, dishonest businessman who thinks only of the bottom line -- money? Or why your family can’t seem to make ends meet while the friends down the street purchase a new car each year? Or why your teenager can’t seem to find a good part-time job for the summer, yet your boss’s kid is working mornings and evenings and making more money than you?
There’s no doubt about it – it’s easy to let our perspective get out of line, isn’t it? And when it does, we begin to feel like we have sought God for nothing! When we start to compare what we don’t have to what others have, we begin to want what they possess. Yet, in reality, we own what they want – a transcendent purpose for living!
Don’t worry or fret – Asaph felt that way. He knew the emotions of discontentment. But only for a moment. Notice his relief:
“Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end...nevertheless I am continually with thee ... whom have I in heaven but thee?”
When you’re about to be swallowed under by the waves of jealousy and discontentment, make your way to the heavenly shore and bask in the Sonlight of Jesus! That’s the quickest and best way to rid yourself of those feelings. Why? Because when we see ourselves in Jesus, we see ourselves complete, sufficient, happy, and contented. We need nothing when we have Him; He is all we need.
Making our time with God a priority is necessary if we are to ever become contented Christians. If our perspective is to remain clear and on target, we must know the importance of spending time in the presence of God. For in His presence all things, all possessions, all materials, all people, all ambitions, and all desires lose their seemingly crucial importance and we gain a clear vision of the only one we really need -- God!
Finding yourself cemented in a complaining attitude or jealous emotions? Feeling like your feet are getting bogged down in frustration? Set your sights on Jesus and your gaze on the Savior, and before you know it you’ll be contented, not cemented. As the Psalmist said, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want!”
Reflect
1. Name three things that create unrest within you, things that cause you to question your contentment?
2. Connect contentment and choices. How do these words relate? How do our choices affect our contentment?
3. Consider those you love the most – are they cemented in jealousy or contented with Jesus? Why?
4. What could you do this week to help move someone from a state of “cementment” to a state of “contentment?”
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The Danger of a Misplaced Emphasis
If the Gospels prove anything, they prove this: Jesus was concerned for people. His ministry from start to finish was people-centered. At times, though, the disciples missed his emphasis on people, and focused their attention and directed their efforts toward things of less importance. And John 4 is a prime example.
In John 4:31-38 we see Christ teaching the disciples about just such a misplaced emphasis, and how it can hinder the responsibility of reaching people. Christ warned them – and so warns us – about neglecting our primary concern – people, and shows how a misplaced emphasis can tragically detour us in the primary task of reaching people.
By the way, it was a misplaced emphasis that the Pharisees were guilty of in Matthew 9:10-13. They were so concerned about the law that they condemned Jesus for eating with sinners (i.e., publicans). But Jesus said, “I desire compassion more than sacrifice.” In essence, Jesus was saying that it was not a ceremony, ritual, or program that impressed Him; rather, a heart of tender mercy and compassion; a heart that cared for people.
Let us notice the three areas in which Jesus warned against a misplaced emphasis:
1. Not physical values, but spiritual. (4:31-34)
In 4:6 we read that Jesus was wearied. Solution? The disciples go to town to buy food (4:8). In verse 31 they are returning and are requesting the Savior to eat. His response -- “I have food to eat that you don’t know about” -- confuses them. Why? Because their mind was solely on the physical aspect of the situation. Their question in verse 33 expects a negative answer -- they knew no one brought him food. Yet, why would He not eat? Then Jesus responds, “My food is to do the will of Him that sent me.” As meat is refreshing to the physical body, so is the doing of the Father’s will to Jesus. It was refreshing and satisfying for Jesus to do God’s work. The lesson is clear -- do not be so blind that you miss the spiritual value in life because of the physical.
Matthew 6:31-33 states emphatically what our attitude should be toward that of the physical: It is important, but not preeminent. Take care of God’s business and He will take care of yours.
2. Not eventual harvest, but immediate. (4:35)
We know the Samaritans are coming to greet Him; the woman was bringing the city to “see a man which told me all I ever did.” The disciples, upon returning to the city, were seeing the crowd approach. Jesus, aware of their concern for food, mentions the harvest. However, he says it is not in 4 months, but rather, “The harvest is now!” Verse 35 is obviously referring to the Samaritans, who were approaching. Jesus was proclaiming the truth that in a few moments the spiritual harvest will be here; so let us reap.
Jesus told them to “look,” meaning to gaze, ponder, or intently behold. He exhorted them, “Contemplate the field” (i.e., the approaching Samaritans).
Also, the word “white” is interesting. At the end of summer, the ripe fields would turn white just before it was too bad for reaping; it was a sign that soon the harvest would be lost, wasted and gone. Jesus was using forceful language here in saying that unless we reap, the harvest may be lost; they are white, and now we must reap lest the harvest be wasted.
Let us not only be concerned with the future’s hope of evangelism, but also with the present need for a harvest. The harvest is white; let us go forth with an emphasis upon the immediate need, reaping the present harvest!
3. Not personal reward, but collective labor. (4:36-38).
It is interesting to note that Jesus does not put the workers in competition; in no sense does Jesus advocate personal gain through witnessing. Contrarily, he states that those who labor should not divide themselves into categories for competition, but rather all strive for the goal of gathering in the harvest. Christ said that those who have sown (planted the Word of God in the hearts of people) and those who have reaped (enjoyed the benefits of God’s convicting power and pointed the soul to the Savior) shall “reap together.”
In other words, it is a joint effort that would not survive without both. One is not higher in priority; both are necessary to the accomplishing of God’s work. He closes by saying it is not the reaping alone that God notices. Instead, God knows, and we must realize, that reaping is only because we have “entered into another man’s labors.” In God’s eyes, it is not a question of who reaped, but rather did the reaping get done?!
Essentially, one might say God views our efforts, not always our results. There are those who may only sow, but praise the Lord for the sowers! There are those who may reap where others have sown, but Praise the Lord for the reapers! In every case let us be conscious that it is not personal reward that should be emphasized, but collective labor. We must all work together to accomplish the task of harvesting.
This same principle is clearly seen in I Cor. 3:1-9, where Paul exhorts the carnal Corinthians to quit following men and stop glorying in their own “spiritual” achievement. Instead, realize that it is “God who gives the increase” (vs. 6,7). We are “fellow-workers,” which means to strive and work together with the same goal in mind. Let us labor together for the cause of Christ, not seeking our own reward. There is definite danger in seeking self-gain when Christ is interested in collective labor.
While coaching Jr. High Baseball one year as a college junior, I had an idea that before one of our big games I would read the statistics accumulated by each player as an incentive to play harder so that we might win the game. I did just that, but not to my fortune.
I sat the team down before the game, read each individual’s personal statistic sheet, and then complimented the team on a job well done. I then exhorted them to play well, for we were facing a tough opponent.
Needless to say, we lost; and lost big. Later I asked myself “Why?” It was obvious: I had given great incentive, but only for personal statistics. Each player played that game with one thought in mind: “I need to really build my personal stats!” Consequently, we lost. Without a team effort we didn’t stand a chance!
It is also true in God’s service: without a team effort we don’t stand a chance. In that funny, yet too-true-to-life story I emphasized the wrong thing, and the danger was losing!
If we emphasize the wrong aspects of our service, we stand a good chance -- or should I say bad chance -- of losing. Maybe we won’t lose the game, but the harvest could well be lost, while our spiritual values are overlooked. If the spirit of personal competition invades our camp, we’ll be defeated from within. In light of the danger that results from a misplaced emphasis, let’s not be guilty of misplacing ours. Instead, let’s band together to accomplish God’s work in a united way with our focus on the things of eternal worth.
Reflect
1. Evaluate your motivation. What drives you to love and serve God? Is there a hidden lust for recognition and fame from men that is silently sabotaging your desire for approval from God?
2. Do your public actions indicate a team approach or an individual performance?
3. What types of incentive methods do you use with those in your circle of influence? Do these patterns reflect Christ’s ministry or society’s ideals?
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The Woman Behind the Man
When most folks think of youth ministry, their minds picture kids wearing jeans, boys without socks, girls giggling over the guys, and a young man sporting a baseball cap and a whistle desperately trying to gain some semblance of order. What a picture! (and it’s not too far from the truth.)
Young Timothy, the spiritual son of the Apostle Paul, was a youth when he entered the ministry; in fact, he may have had the first “youth” ministry in the history of the church (whether he wore a cap and a whistle is still unknown). But when Paul mentioned Timothy’s name, guess what came to his mind? Not campfire services, not broken down busses on the way to activities, and not cookie crumbs, mixed with crushed potato chips and Coca Cola spills, staining the floor of the youth room. Paul thought of one thing: Women.
Lest you take that the wrong way, let me hasten to say that it was Timothy’s mother and grandmother whom Paul thought of when he thought of Timothy. Interestingly enough, Paul was reminded of the consistent, faithful lives of Eunice and Lois, Timothy’s mother and grandmother, respectively, when he would remember his spiritual son in prayer.
We rarely associate women with successful ministries, at least not in the open; most of the praise goes to men. Yet, in the life of young Timothy, it was the training and discipline of women, in teaching Timothy the Scriptures at an early age, that helped lay the foundation for a life-time of genuine service and commitment. Timothy’s roots were grounded in his mother and grandmother, two women who were known, not for their public display in designing a program, but for their private contributions in building a life.
It will be interesting to see who gets the rewards in Heaven, won’t it? I suspect that for every great public man, receiving his rewards for service, there will be great women -- mothers and grandmothers -- who will receive, perhaps to a larger extent, their rewards for faithfulness, consistency, and perseverance.
Go ahead -- be the woman God can use as a foundation for a truly great minister. Be the prayer backbone of a young life, the roots to which he or she can cling when all else seems like shifting sand. Be the spiritual support beams for a life that so desperately needs structure and form. And someday, when the pages of time are opened and the records of history are read, you will be known as the rock upon which a young man built his life and ministry.
“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.”
Reflect
1. Read Acts 16:13. Where did Paul go? What was he expecting to find? Who were the only people gathered there?
2. In this scenario, did Paul overlook the one woman or did he begin anyway, possibly starting a home Bible study that day?
3. Acts 16:16-19 records another time Paul went to the place of prayer. Why do you think Paul didn’t turn away from two different times of prayer with women?
4. Think of at least one vitally important woman in your life, past or present, that God has used to help develop you as a minister. What was it about her that motivated you to be and do your best? Consider calling or writing her, thanking her for investing in your life.
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How’s Your Approach?
The feelings of frustration that overwhelm you are not uncommon; you have grown accustomed to this ritual. No one seems to be interested in the Gospel; thus, discouragement and disillusionment sweep the prospect of hope right out the door. And with your head in your hands you tell yourself that this time you really are going to quit.
You have planned exciting activities and have preached stirring sermons. Yet no response. Openly and unashamedly you have presented biblical truths in contemporary terms. Still, no response. Why?
The answers seem illusive and the solutions difficult; nothing seems to work. When answers cannot be found, disillusionment sets in, followed by discouragement, and eventually apathy.
But wait – does it have to be that way? No! We can see young people respond to Jesus if we approach the issue with the right perspective.
Granted -- it is tough when we slave and work to produce results and no one seems to be even remotely interested. But getting kids to respond to Christ goes beyond programs, sermons, and activities. Responses, or decisions, to God come as a result of involvement in the teen’s life by a genuinely concerned person. In other words, an individual approach is the key to getting kids to respond to Jesus Christ.
During the last few years we have seen an abundance of methods used to try and get teens, and people in general, to respond. These methods, though temporarily successful, were fatal in the long run because they failed to produce within the teen’s heart a genuine desire to commit his life to Christ.
Speaking of wrong techniques, I am reminded of one in particular, what I prefer to call the Guilt Method. This method feeds upon the conscience of innocent teens, making them feel guilty for either not attending, not participating, or not responding. I am sure that you have heard lines like, “Those who are really spiritual will be at this activity” or “anyone who is spiritually sensitive at all will be at the altar.” What happens? Sincere people feel guilty, rejected, and hurt for their behavior, or lack of it. This method never took into consideration the fact of legitimate reasons for someone’s absence or non-participation; it was simply a matter of attendance being synonymous with spirituality. Guilt will never create in people a true and honest response to God; it will only make them equate attendance with commitment, activity with relationship, a false equation to any mathematician!
I recall one other method employed by youth groups that brought in the numbers but rarely produced lasting results. It is what I commonly call the Gift Method. This method thrived upon natural, human greed. Simply put, it got people to respond by promising them something in return. Think of all the places you have seen this method disguised behind the word “Promotion.” Too many times it is turned into selfish manipulation and used to simply gratify a man’s desire for a large audience. The common mistake with this method is that people begin to associate numbers with success, a tragic and costly mistake.
Churches across America are having promotions, all designed to “bring in the sheaves.” In reality, all that is happening is young people are being lured to church by the prospect of a gift. Regardless of what Sunday it is, you are bound to receive something ... all you have to do is show up. Gradually, everyone becomes 21st century Pavlovian dogs, conditioned to give a certain response when given a certain stimulus.
There is one major problem with the Gift Method: No promotion, no people. Don’t get me wrong, okay? I am not against promotions; but I am against luring people into church with a gift. We obey the command to be fishers of men, while at the same time we bait the hook with materialism. “Santa Claus Preachers” who give away prizes for coming may fill the auditorium, but they will never equip the saints to change the world.
Hold on. There is a way -- a biblical way -- to get teens to respond. All we need to do it investigate the life of Christ, and the method becomes clear. His method? An individual approach. Throughout the ministry of Jesus we see Him coming in contact with people, needy people, and we see Him taking time to meet their needs on an individual basis. He worked with them on a personal, individual level, knowing that their needs were personal and individual. Jesus never rationed out solutions to people as if they were in some sort of “Welfare Christianity;” His approach was one that cared for the individual, one that sought to meet needs for each person in a distinct and exclusive manner.
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