Blindness

I remember waking out of a nightmare once. It was dark. My head was covered. I could see nothing. Turning my head in a panic I looked for something -- anything -- on which I could lay my eyes and prove to myself I hadn't gone blind. The panic was brief, lasting only seconds as I came out of my sleep-induced stupor. But it was one of the most frightening experiences I can remember.

The fact is, I'm scared to death of going blind.

The reasons for this are legion, but among the greatest is simply this: I just don't have the faith to walk without sight. I don't like to be led. I don't like to not know where I'm going. Even fog is sometimes enough to give me serious pause. I can drive in almost any condition with confidence and competence. But you take away my ability to see more than a few feet ahead, and I slow to a near-crawl, taking each several yards as a significant triumph over the weather-produced blindness. Take away my sight entirely, and I may well become something like a hermit. I can perhaps count on both hands the people I trust enough to lead me in the event I'm unable to see where I'm going.

Yet, for all the nervousness I have about physical blindness, how much more important is the ability to see clearly in Spiritual matters? As important as we believe our temporary, physical bodies are, how much more our eternal souls?

When it comes to the Mystery of God, I admit I can see only a few feet in front of me at a time. I was once entirely blind, but praise God, He has opened my eyes. Even so, my vision is imperfect. Even so, I need the wisdom of those walking before me to counsel me on the turns and ruts in the path ahead. But, it is important to know where these leaders are leading. It's important to understand whether they are leading in a Godly direction.

In Galatians, we read of a group of believers under the thrall of a blind leader. He doesn't know where he is going, yet he is leading others.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! (Galatians 1:6-9)

Yet, Scripture tells us to test the words of preachers and prophets against the Word of God and the guidance of the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:20-22). 

So thank God for Godly pastors and ministers. Thank God for those who have been given the terrifying and all-important task of leading the rest of us through the fog and darkness of this world. Thank God, and pray for them, that they continue to be led by Him, so they can lead us in His steps.

The Toughest Job In The World

I think we can all agree: not everyone is called to be a teacher. Teaching is hard. Teachers have not only to engage their students and capture their attention; they must also find a way to make their instruction memorable. And, more to the point, The teacher must take responsibility for what he or she teaches.

James 3:1 says, "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."

Why would that be? Why will God judge the teacher differently than He would anyone else? Does that sound just? Or fair? 

Well, as a matter of fact, it is just. It's not a calling for everyone precisely because the job of the teacher is so important. It is the teacher -- from the public school desk to the pulpit -- who shapes and molds the mind and spirit. It is the teacher who has taken, or been given, the mantle of authority -- and with authority, responsibility -- over the instruction of the rest of us. What we know comes, at least in part, from our teachers. 

This means every teacher will be held to account for that which they teach. If they teach falsely, they will be held responsible for their false teaching. 

That's a heavy responsibility to bear, and I don't envy those who are called to it. But they do it. The teacher puts himself or herself on the line to be of service to the pupil, the Christian teacher in service to God. 

For that reason, the Teacher ought to be honored. Not just on National Teacher's Day, but every day.  

Have You Hugged A Pastor Today?

October is, among other things, Clergy Appreciation Month. It's easy, often, to take a pastor for granted. To focus on what we liked about this or that message, or how he or she handles visitation, or whether or not we're satisfied the administrative aspects of the church. It's easy to forget that a Pastor is somebody with a calling, a blessing, and a very difficult job.

It's easy to forget that, no matter how you voted after the Selection Committee had their say, God brings leaders where He wants them.

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13)

This is not a position to take lightly. God Himself puts pastors and church leaders where they belong, for the purpose of lifting up the Body of Christ. Not, I would note, to plan the potluck, or lead Vacation Bible School, or take over all duties of Evangelism. The pastor is there for nothing less than the edification of those believers with whom he is entrusted. It is a difficult task, and not one that just anyone could do. As Scripture says, in James 3:1, "not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."

Thank God today for the men and women He has placed in leadership throughout the church. And make sure you take the time,  too, to thank your Pastor.