You must be "the 1"

I want to believe God that you have had a great leap year...with memorable leaps in life and ministry. I had my fair share - fo which I'm eternally grateful to God.

As we wrap up this year, I know some of us may have started compiling our "New Year Resolutions" so it's the perfect time to give you one: You must be "the 1."

Ok this will focus on what I'll call "Discipleship 101 for Mrs. Pastor."

There are several cadre of disciples beyond the multitude that followed Jesus. Acts 1:15 tells us about the 120 disciples (after Jesus ascension), Luke 10: 1 tells us about the 70 disciples Jesus sent out 2 by 2.

There may have been other "cadre" in between. Going to the 12 disciples who were with Jesus (Luke 6:13-16), only 3 witnessed the Transfiguration (Matt 17:1) and then "the 1" whom the Bible says Jesus loved. (John 13:23; 20:2)

Likewise, I'm sure that in your church there are different cadre of members...you'd have the congregation, volunteers (Workers), the Ministerial/Pastoral team etc. You and your husband relate to them in different ways.

So which one do you fit into? I'll tell you...

You, dear Mrs. Pastor must be "the 1" - not his spiritual father, not his mentor, not his mother, not any of your children, definitely not any member of the church - except if the member we're referring to is YOU!

The Gift

I'm sure that Christmas is the time when the most gifts are given to the most people in every place around the world. As Christmas 2012 comes (tomorrow), I'm asking myself: "What should I give myself?"

It is a valid question because as Mrs. Pastor I find that I'm almost always giving. Just a few examples so you "see" and possibly feel where I'm coming from.

Give..and let go...

Next weekend is Christmas weekend...and the only reason why we have such a day/weekend to celebrate because God gave...

I know that in some cases, Pastor and Mrs. Pastor expect others to show their appreciation by giving them gifts. Sadly, some see it as a "right." Indeed the Bible tells us that: "A worker deserves his pay"* however, we also know that: ‘You will have a greater blessing when you give than when you receive.’**

So, I'd encourage that you change the expectation this year - give gifts to others. Now it doesn't need to be an expensive gift - it needs to be one that clearly says:

"Someone thought about me"...they don't even need to know who gave them the gift. As much as possible, "your giving should be done in private. Your Father can see what is done in private, and he will reward you."***

Last year, we had an interesting gift exchange in church. We all picked names - adults and children included - to buy a gift for the person. The sender's name was to be in the gift not on the wrapper. It was really heart-warming to see people express their delight and appreciation to each other.

We've made giving - not just at Christmastime - a family habit. I used to get "upset" with people who didn't say "Thank you" until I realized that it was God's setup to see what's really in my heart. So now I just give...and let go. Much as it's a good habit to be grateful and say so, I'm just grateful that the scriptures are fulfilled in & through my life. Genesis 12:2 says: And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others]. (Amplified) As we remain a source of blessing - by giving - God will have no choice but to keep blessing us.

Sources:

*1 Tim 5:18 (The Message)

**Acts 20:35b (Easy-to-Read Version)

***Matt 6:4 (Easy-to-Read Version)

We are not excluded...

...from the troubles of life.

Shade vs. Roots

I don't remember who said this but I believe that you couldn't agree more that:

"A lot of people want to enjoy the shade of church without growing roots."

Some people just "drop-in" and don't stay (or want to stay) long enough in order be committed and cultivated to become part of the shade for others.

The SHADE consists of, and is not limited to, the
Shoulders to cry on and/or who help bear burdens
Helping hands and hearts
Amiable Fellowship
Defence - in the place of prayer
Encouragement

I am challenged with how many people seem to appreciate the SHADE but do not appreciate it enough to do something to sustain and extend the SHADE to others.

One can be tempted to withdraw the SHADE from takers...and that will be wrong. We just need to find ways to encourage them to love others enough to give.
As they say: "You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving."* We need to learn and teach that "love" is not a passive word - it is a word filled with passion that leads to action...and it starts with one person. John D. Rockefeller Jr. put it well: “Think of giving not as a duty but as a privilege.”

 

Indeed it is a privilege to bear fruit and have shade to "give" & bless others with. To do that, we must have really deep roots - the deeper our roots in the Word, the richer and broader our shade to the world around us. Let's lead by example; as we lift Jesus in all we do, He will draw others to Him** and roots will develop.

Amen.

References:
*Anon  - since attributed to many people
**John 12:32