November 24, 2018

Plant Good Seeds

“Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.”

– Mark 4:18-19

We want to be like everyone else. We want our church to be able to “compete” for members and money with all the other churches in our area. We get so focused on numbers and “what works” that we lose sight of who we are in Christ.

When the direction of our churches becomes more about being like everyone else, then we’ve lost sight of who we really are in Christ. We are not all called to be the same when it comes to how things are done. Our focus should be on the Word of God. Our trust should be in Him alone.

But we trust ourselves. We trust our leadership. We trust in concrete things like attendance records and bank statements. We fight among ourselves and criticize each other. We forget it’s not about what we want, it’s about what He wants.

Jesus told this parable about seeds that are planted. Some seed are stolen by Satan almost immediately. Some seed never really take root. And some seed grow among thorns and are overtaken by the deceitfulness of wealth and the desire for things. Those focused on things of the world will never be fruitful. Jesus is clear about that. So why do we waste time and money trying to manipulate those things to make our churches appear larger and more prosperous than they are? Why do we chase numbers and money instead of chasing Jesus and trusting Him to provide what we need?

Priorities. I wrote about that yesterday. But priorities aren’t just about what we do as individuals. It’s also about what we do as a church. It’s about what we focus on as a church.

I had a pastor once who really stepped on toes when it came to finances. He wasn’t concerned at all about money. As he explained one Sunday, all he really cared about was whether the church was doing what God had called it to do. To him, it was all about basic belief. God provides what we need when we step out in faith to do what He has called us to do.

We get that backwards so many times. I’m not talking about being fiscally irresponsible. But I am talking about having a deep faith that directs our steps, even when the numbers tell us something different.

In our town, there’s a rapidly growing church that focuses on performance and small group involvement. There’s nothing wrong with that. I’m not criticizing it at all. But what bothers me are the churches that insist on adopting those same elements, even when it doesn’t fit the “personality” of that particular church. It’s not about following the call of God. It’s about chasing numbers and trying to be like your neighbor instead of being the best you that you can be.

Discord so often happens in churches because people are so intent on getting their own way that they lose sight of what church is all about. We are the body of Christ. It’s about Him. That’s all. It’s about Him.

Don’t let copycat syndrome destroy what’s good about your church and the people who are part of it. Be the church He created you to be and trust that the seeds you plant will land in fertile soil and produce much abundance in the days and years to come.

April 18, 2016

What Are You Storing Up?

16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” -- Luke 12:16-21

What does someone else have that you want? Oh, come on. You know there’s something. There’s always something. For all of us. Yeah. Me too. Why is it that we never seem quite satisfied with what we have?

Our pastor is doing a series titled “Is Jesus enough?” In the manner of moving Methodist preachers, he and his family are headed south at the end of June. They are giving up a 3,000 square foot house for a small three bedroom, two bath parsonage. I can’t say they are happy about it.

But he, at least, has a sense of humor. He noted that God obviously thought he had more house than he needed and had decided to downsize him. God has a way of doing that sometimes. It’s all for our own good though it doesn’t always feel that way.

During my college years there were certain brands in clothing and shoes that spoke of status. There was a certain look that helped you to fit in. I didn’t fit in. I hated it at the time. Now I’m thankful. I really don’t want to be like everyone else.

That’s not the case for many people. Or for many churches. There’s a competition -- usually unspoken -- that says we’ve got to be better, louder, offer more programs, have greater attendance. And let’s not forget status. That really matters to some.

Sometimes I want to scream in frustration. We’re all in this together. Does it really matter? Can’t we all serve God together? Really?!

It’s like that with life. We’re so busy competing with each other when really we should just focus on cheering for each other. There’s plenty to go around, whatever it is that you’ve got to have. Everybody has talents. Everybody has something someone else wants. And everybody wants something somebody else has.

News flash: None of it matters. We waste so much time wanting, wanting, wanting. At the end of the day, all that will matter is that we’re spending eternity with Jesus. That’s it. All this stuff, all this drama and longing, is rubbish.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Stop Making Comparisons

When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

-- John 21:21-22

He is taking care of his very ill wife. He’s learning to cook and clean, vacuum and do laundry. All those things his stay-at-home wife has always done. Things he gladly does now for his wife.

A neighbor scoffed at his efforts. She compared him to another couple, friends of hers, who also face health issues. In that case, the wife suffers from crippling arthritis and her husband has done many of the household chores for years. Somehow this man’s sacrifice is greater because of its longevity.

I was amazed at the comments. It’s not a competition, I wanted to say. But I knew she wouldn’t get it. She wouldn’t understand. Life isn’t always a case of who does the most or who gets there first or who suffers the greatest. Both men are doing what they must for the women they love. Period.

Why do we always compare ourselves to others? We either measure up, or we don’t, based on the cars we drive, the place we live, the clothes we wear. Frequently we transfer that to our children, putting unfair pressure on them to meet our expectations of being better than everyone else.

Just the other day a man made a nasty comment about the work I was doing. “You haven’t got anything to do,” he asked with a sneer. He obviously didn’t approve of the painting I was creating. A painting I’ll eventually sell. It’s how I earn my living.

Nastiness. That’s all it is. What makes him think he works, or worked in his younger years, harder than me? Because he doesn’t and he didn’t. But somehow it makes him think higher of himself by thinking less of me. How sad is that?

I wonder sometimes if that’s why we’re so concerned with the activities and possessions of others. We think -- erroneously -- that if we put someone else down or focus on the flaws or activities of others, we can think better of ourselves. And so will everyone else. It’s a vicious cycle and no one ever wins.

Maybe that’s why Paul wrote about being content in all circumstances. When we are happy with what we have, and happy for what those around us have, then it brings a peace and joy that will otherwise allude us.

So stop comparing yourself to others. And stop comparing them to you. Everyone is different. Life is not a competition -- no matter what some would have us believe.