Discouraged?

Early tomorrow, June 16th, I will board the first leg of my flights to Singapore, where I'll be engaged in a leaders' summit for CBGlobal. The last time I was there, I left with a broken leg from a mishap in Indonesia. Your prayers would be appreciated, as we deliberate over identity documents for the Global fellowship.   There are occasions where discouragement sets in and, like the clouds of the past week here in Colorado, obscure the sunshine. At such times its easy to lose a heavenly perspective, and to be fogged in with issues of the moment. But I've discovered that discouragement is often a precursor of God's fresh blessings. Charles Spurgeon was not immune to discouragement during his pastorate in London. He said, "The cloud is black before it breaks; it overshadows before it yields a deluge of mercy. It has become to me a prophet in rough clothing, a John the Baptist heralding the near-coming of God's richer blessings to me!" The darkest hour is many times just before the dawn!   

Who's Following?

The discussion with a pastor drifted into frustration over the length of time it takes to make an impact upon those we serve. How many times must we affirm and encourage those that we are attempting to influence before they finally pick up the habit, and reciprocate? Will we ever be invited into the homes of those to whom we have shown hospitality? Does this modeling business really work? Can we really expect to see our lifestyle reproduced in others? Maybe this servant leadership stuff isn't as effective as we've been taught.   I'm not suggesting that we serve for the purpose of being served, or that we affirm in order to provoke affirmation in return. But if David reproduced giant-killers, and Jacob perpetuated deceivers, and Paul influenced Timothy, and "it is enough for the student to be like his teacher" (Matt. 10:25), why does it take so long to influence others with our character?   Scripture doesn't answer these questions directly, but it does suggest that planting and harvesting are in different seasons (how about decades!) We're commanded to not grow weary in well-doing. Jesus' own disciples still didn't get it, after three years of intensive modeling by Christ. While he served them in deep humility, they clamored and competed for positions of authority and recognition!   My highest desire must be for Christ to receive glory, recognition, honor and attention. Whatever goals I may achieve, whatever accomplishments may be attained, my prayer must be that of the Psalmist in 109:27, "Let them see that this is your doing, that you yourself have done it, Lord." 

A Tale of Two Churches

It was a time of great celebration in the church. The shortterm
mission team had returned from their overseas ministry,
and the report caused all to rejoice. Not only had the team
evangelized in unreached areas, they had actually planted
three churches, discipled men into leadership roles, and
appointed elders in the burgeoning congregations. All this
was accomplished in a two-year commitment involving
over 1,000 miles of travel. The sending church was ecstatic
over the report, and praised God for the day they had
commissioned this team and sent them out. Missionary
endeavor was a priority to this local church, situated in the
third largest city of its area.

But the elation was short-lived. Visitors came to the church
and questioned the theological position of the missionaries,
criticizing the glowing report and even casting doubt on the
motivation of the returned team. Intense discussion erupted,

and eventually the leaders of the church determined to seek

counsel from their mother church in the capital city some

300 miles to the south.

Sound familiar? The story is found in Acts chapters thirteen
through fifteen. Jerusalem was the mother church, Antioch
the missionary church. Paul and Barnabas were leaders at
Antioch, where believers were first called Christians. The
church had sent them out, along with John Mark, in what
is now called Paul’s first missionary journey into Asia Minor,
currently known as Turkey.

When the dissention erupted over the conversion of
Gentiles, the church at Antioch commissioned Paul
and Barnabas to go to the church at Jerusalem and
seek counsel. Think about this. Why would this vibrant
congregation, with its missionary zeal, seek advice from
its mother church to the south? After all, they had Paul,
certainly the most educated Christian leader of the day. He
was a brilliant and articulate polemicist who could argue
theological circles around anyone! Why should they seek
counsel? They had it all together, and were a successful,
competent church. Yet in humility and submission, they
sought outside help in dealing with their troubling issue.

Allowing an assessment team to come into your church
and becoming vulnerable to outside evaluation, regardless
of your church health, strength and missionary zeal,
requires humility and submission. But it is a source of God’s
abounding grace and the Spirit’s empowering vision.

It's Time

In times of economic distress and political jostling, we are prone to stick our heads in the sand and disengage, or to stress out and react to every rumor of impending doom. As those who are to be salt and light in our culture, how do we manifest the character of God in the midst of uncertainty? How do we reflect godly values and the security found in Him? Our greatest battle is not against the political liberals, but against escalating apathy in the church. This displays itself in detachment or elitism, isolationism or compromise, tolerance or arrogance...but always independence. It is time to major on the majors; to focus compassionate eyes and hearts on others; to lift our vision above these troublesome times to those eternal values that find their source in our soon-coming Savior. This is not a time to engage in petty battles of preference and self-seeking comfort. Rather, it is a time to give ourselves away, and in so doing find our lives. It is time for sacrificial commitment to eternal matters. "Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. The wicked will see this and be infuriated." -Psalm 112:6-10