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What’s Your “Thing?”

A brilliant and insightful question, right?! But seriously consider this for a moment with me: What’s your “thing?”

This is something I’ve been chewing on over the last few weeks since I finished reading Walter Isaacson’s biography on Steve Jobs. It’s a fascinating (long!) book, and I’m really glad I read it. There’s a ton about Jobs that we should NOT emulate, but it’s difficult to not be inspired by his focus and determination. As a leader, I would hate to follow him because of how he treated people; but as an innovator there is much for me to learn.

The big idea I walked away with is this: There’s only so much you can do, and do well. It’s better to do one or two things really really well than to do many things mediocre. I don’t want to live in mediocrity. I want to live well, I want to make an impact in the world for Christ, and I hope you do too.

So this begs the question… what’s your “thing?” What is it that you are more passionate about? When you look at your life, your family, your work or your ministry – what is it that ties everything together? Try to be more specific/narrow than saying “Jesus.” The Christian’s faith in Christ should be central for every Christian… I’m encouraging you to consider what is your distinctive passion?

Jobs’ passion was getting simple computing into the hands of the common consumer. For me, I’m passionate about showing the beauty of the Church to a world who looks down on organized religion. Job’s passion took various forms throughout his life, and I’m sure mine will too; but it’s been a good exercise to look back throughout my life and discover this common thread running and guiding me to where I am today. And I’m excited to see how that “Thing” will continue to guide and inspire me in the coming years and decades (God-willing).

So… What’s your “Thing?” If you’re willing to share or want to process this together, I’d love to hear and discuss it together in the comments below.

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If Grace is Sufficient…

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
2 Corinthians 12:9

The Christian life is not one of strength, but one of weakness. We are not called to live in a way that is seeking glory, but the the cross. To be broken and poured out, not to be exalted and lifted up. “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.” (Mark 8:35).

If we want to follow Jesus, then we will follow him to the cross. For in God’s economy, glory comes only through the cross. Jesus’ promise was never that he bore the cross in order that we might receive glory without suffering. No, the promise is that there is hope and future glorification for those who endure by faith.

Martin Luther talked a lot about being a “Theologian of the Cross” rather than a “Theology of Glory.” The article linked to above is helpful in fleshing that out in ways I don’t feel the need to repeat here.

If God’s grace is sufficient, then…

  • When I have nothing left to give, God will make my pitiful offering a valuable treasure.
  • I don’t need to “have it all together” in order to be used by God.
  • I don’t need to hide in shame over my sin and failures, because they have been redeemed and used by God to demonstrate his strength.
  • I have peace, because I can trust that God is the one who bears fruit, not me.
  • I am humbled… because God chose me despite my brokenness (not because I was worthy).

In life and in ministry there are times when we simply run out of strength to offer. It is in those seasons when being a Theologian of the Cross is of particular encouragement. My usefulness in ministry (preaching, teaching, counseling, mentoring, etc.) doesn’t come from my strength, but from God’s grace. And my faithfulness in leading my family (loving my wife and kids in a way that reflects God’s perfect love and leading my family in Scripture and prayer) are also an overflow of whether or not I am drawing from the well of grace, if I’m running on reserves, or if I’m totally dry.

I’m thankful for God’s grace. Without it I’d be useless… I’d remain the self-centered, impatient, snarky guy who thinks he’s got all the answers. When I remember God’s grace, the Holy Spirit pulls me out of myself and reminds me of the patience and mercy I’ve received – and He empowers me to give what I have received.

What difference does the sufficiency of grace (not just the “idea” of grace, but the reality that you have received it by God) make in your life?

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Fear & Pastoral Visition

During my final year in seminar working towards completing my M.Div. I was interning at a church where I was asked to make regular pastoral visits to the elderly folk at the assisted living home next door to the church. As someone who has always gotten along well with “old people” this shouldn’t have terrified me as much as it did. I knew many of them already and chatted easily with them before and after Sunday worship. I truly cared for them and wanted to know how I could serve them and minister to them.

And while that last sentence is true, I was so terrified of being asked a question I didn’t know how to answer that I often found myself neglecting those pastoral visits. In fact, this is still an area of my ministry that I struggle with. Those who know me may be surprised to find that I am, by nature, an introvert (yes, I know it’s suddenly trendy and cool to claim being an introvert… when and how did that happen!). I’ve learned to be more extroverted and outgoing for the sake of ministry, but the fear of speaking with people whom I don’t know well continues to strike fear into my heart.

A friend from church sent me a link to the following blog post about “The Lost Work of Pastoral Visitation.” There is much in the article to commend (although I do confess skimming over a few paragraphs), but the following portion in particular struck me for what should be obvious reasons:

We hear much today, and rightly so, of churches committed to simple means of grace. I suggest that if your ministry does not include systematic family visitation, you are neglecting an important means of grace. I challenge you to rethink your ministerial philosophy. If you have not been doing regular pastoral visitation, I encourage you to repent and seek God’s grace to start immediately.

In whatever capacity you serve in your church, I encourage you to prayerfully consider working towards re-claiming this important ministry. It may not be something that comes naturally to you, it certainly isn’t for me either, but if we are not willing to obey this important area of pastoral duty then perhaps there are other questions we ought to be asking…

  • If a pastor completely neglects pastoral visitations, what does that say about his desire to see his congregation grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ?
  • How does the pastor raise up and train others (particularly Elders and Deacons) to conduct pastoral visitations?
  • Why do you believe pastoral visitations have become so rare in the church today?
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