I wasn't eavesdropping, but I was listening as I sat at coffee the other day waiting for the person I was scheduled to meet with.
Two fellas the next table over were talking about serving in their church and a recent decision that had been made.
What was refreshing (and quite stunning) was the fact that they were discussing it openly but without animosity. One of the two strongly disagreed with the decision that had been made.
Here is what stood out to me about what he said, "Since it is not blatant black and white, I can trust God with it even if I feel it is a misstep or mistake. Even if it was black and white...I could probably still do the same."
The maturity expressed in that statement greatly encouraged and challenged me. While I waited for the person I was meeting with to arrive, I meditated on that thought scripturally and personally.
Guarding and arming ourselves with this mindset means:
I know that the moments I heed temptations in the flesh are NOT the end of God's work in my life or usage of the same. Let us start on a high note! The devil and my flesh delight in writing my choices in fast-drying concrete whereas God's grace and mercy wash over them as if written in melting snow. God is benevolent to save us but His generosity also continues as we grow in our sanctification. While choices do indeed have consequences (both good and bad), God is greater than just a decision or even a series of decisions. When the apostle Paul told us to look to the OT saints as an example, it was not to sit in judgment of them or only learn lessons in a negative sense; their choices and whole lives often demonstrated God's ability to accomplish His desire in their lives and in the communities around them despite their shortcomings. Again, I am not discounting confession with God or man when we have sinned, but I am saying that such moments are not dead-end streets we are now relegated to live on for the rest of our days.
Phil. 1:6
I know I do not have to take offense to every perceived or real slight. It is ironic how many times the OT and NT repeat the idea or theme of forgiveness. Forgiveness is available from God to man and is to be practiced by humanity. I say it is ironic because one could assume that because the lesson is explicitly taught and implicitly demonstrated it would be a lesson we are prone to live out, not leave out. In my own heart, I find God had to repeat Himself because I am a poor student. Perhaps you are not like me, but as I grow in the Lord I discover just how absolutely selfish I am in my daily motivations or reactions. A car pulls in front of me- that is a real or perceived slight that needs my less than holy response. Someone taking too long at Kroger- well, that is a slight to also dwell on. My wife did not read my mind- how could she be so careless? One of the other pastors disagreed with me- maybe they should, "cool their jets" or find the next place to use their gifts. I am using some hyperbole...but perhaps not much. Think about your day filled with your motivational responses internally and your reactions outwardly to just life that day....the scorecard is perhaps a little messier than we wish it were.
Psalm 119:165
I know I do not have to live a "cancel culture" kind of life......We live in a weird time where mob rule can be whipped up overnight due to the reach and influence of the internet. If someone (celebrity or other) says or does "the wrong thing", then they can lose it all and be "canceled". What is ironic is that many Christians I meet abhor this fear-producing, fickle phenomena but will then live subject to such an ideology in other areas of their lives. Without saying it (sometimes without even recognizing it), their decisions are reactionary to their mistakes or the mistakes of others. In doing so, they often "cancel" themselves with what God is able to do in or through their lives or they "cancel" others that God has placed in their lives. They struggle in relationships God has given them or bounce from one to another, repeat, repeat, repeat. If God is greater and more able than mistakes, I can have flourishing relationships in my marriage, with my offspring, at work, and even at church. No one decision has the power to artificially shutter God's ability in these avenues.
Eph. 4:31-32
How able and big is your God?
Is He big enough and able enough to account for the mistakes you and others around you make?
Is He greater than your poor decisions?
Do you believe He is still able to work in the lives of those around you who may make poor decisions?
Do you have rest with Him and enjoyment with others because of this truth?
God>mistakes
Serving together,
Pastor Paul