The Ongoing Search For Wisdom

Ever since I entered my 30's, I've realized that the ongoing search for wisdom is probably one of the best uses of my time I can imagine. The book of Proverbs has been one of my favorites, because it so accurately describes everything I go through on a daily basis.

Today, I read Proverbs 18:17, which says, "The first to present his case seems right, until another comes forward and questions him."

I think about all the things I hear about people. I used to believe the things I heard. I used to believe that what people told me happened actually happened the way they describe it. If someone had a problem with another person, the incidents they would describe MUST have been how it actually happened.

That is what this Proverb is saying to avoid. How many times have I heard from one person, only to hear something totally different from someone else? In the office, in the home, in the church, I have learned the folly of believing the "first to present his case." And yet, how many relationships, how many friendships, how many homes and offices and churches have been torn apart because we simply believe what people tell us about others? What unspeakable damage, sometimes irreparable, has been done because we accept as gospel truth what one person says about another?

I have gotten to the point where I rarely believe anything I hear about someone else. This decision has served me well as a pastor, because, believe me, I hear so much about people it is unreal. So, whenever you hear something about someone else, or an incident that someone was a part of, remember this proverb: "The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him" (Proverbs 18:17) and continue with your ongoing search for wisdom.

Halfway Through 40 Days of Change

Today is day 20 of the 40 Days of Change thing that we are doing at Catalyst. It has been a great thing for me and my family, and from what I am hearing from the people at our church, it has been a great thing for them as well.

At least, for some of them. As a pastor, I would love to say that 100% of the people in our church are committing to the daily study, small groups, and challenges laid on in the 40 Days. Sadly, it's not happening. Lots of people, many more than I expected, took on the challenge. Others simply did not.

For some, it's just the fact that it's something new, and they're not into anything new. For some, they are just too busy. For some, it's too "out there"- it's just taking the faith too seriously. For others, they just don't want to.

I think about the fantastic celebration we are going to have on the 29th. It will be a huge church-wide celebration of getting through the 40 Days, of completing the challenges and having grown deeper in faith. I wonder what the people that simply opted out will celebrate? Will they have reason for joy on that day? Will they feel left out? Will they look back and say, "I wish I would have participated?"

All of a sudden, I realize that will happen on a much larger scale when Jesus returns to earth (it's the only prophecy in the Bible He hasn't fulfilled yet, although the signs are growing stronger and stronger). The people who committed to Christ, who surrendered their lives to Him, will have the celebration of their lives when Jesus appears. It will be a celebration that will put our church-wide celebration on the 29th to shame. It will be a party like no one has ever seen.

And the people who simply didn't follow Jesus? The people who didn't want a new life, who were just "too busy," who thought following Jesus was too "out there," who just didn't want to? I realize with a sad heart that no matter what I do or say, there will simply be some people, or a great number of people, who will never follow Jesus. I realize with a sad heart that the reasons people give for not committing to participating in the 40 Days of Change are the same reasons people give for not committing to Christ.

As a pastor, I want this for my congregation- to see them all grow deeper in faith, to love God with all their hearts and souls and minds and strength, and to love their neighbors as themselves. I want them to have a living, breathing relationship with Christ. The frustrating thing is that all of that is right there in front of everyone's eyes, and yet some (or most) will never take it. I wonder if Jesus gets as frustrated as I do. Actually, let me rephrase that. I wonder if I get as frustrated as Jesus does.