I am a pastor AND an author.
Yet, sometimes, I am without words.
The audacity of some people never ceases to amaze me.
Their arrogance baffles my mind.
Their capacity for indifference for anyone but themselves shatters my understanding.
If I respond, I've taken the bait.
If I don't respond, I'm a coward.
Either way, I'll be criticized.
Good thing my identity isn't wrapped up in pleasing people who don't like me.
"Will a man rob God?"
That is the question asked in Malachi 3:8.
The answer is, "They will try."
Recently, our church's bank accounts were hacked. The police and bank are still investigating. They nearly cleaned us out. When they saw us making safeguards, they took the rest of what they had originally left. Fortunately, the bank was able to put a stop to some last of their unauthorized withdrawals and we have a LITTLE operating capital to function until the funds are returned.
It has been a headache. We wiped the office computers clean. We changed all the passwords. We closed the old bank accounts and opened new ones; etc.
I am standing in full confidence that the Lord will restore our funds. Or, rather, HIS funds.
One of the big headaches about all this is that since we had to basically start over with our laptops, we have to reinstall all of the programs and apps that were removed.
Praise the Lord that one of our members, Jonathan, has been critical in getting everything up and running. Oh, I can download the programs, but he reconnected the printer and did some deep computer stuff to allow us to download programs while maintaining security.
I'm not worried even a little bit. God will get glory through all of this!
The title of this post is a quote from one of my favorite John Wayne movies, "McLintock!" (I love that the title has an exclamation point!)
While the quote is from the character, Drago, and is used to get people's attention, I use it often as an exclamation of frustration. I usually say it to myself, but sometimes it gets mumbled on the outside.
I've found myself saying it a lot over the past few years.
Or better yet, to quote RC Sproul, "What's wrong with you people?"
There is a saying in church leadership, "Poop runs uphill."
So very true.
No matter what people do to each other, the pastor gets blamed.
No matter what people say to each other, the pastor gets blamed.
In a way, I guess, it is my fault. I assume people who call themselves "Christians" are going to be led by the Holy Spirit. We all know what happens when you assume.
I am an eternal optimist. Or at least I used to be. I'm not sure I am any longer.
People can be just downright mean to each other. And to their pastor.
I wonder, in how many minds do I live rent free?
Last Sunday, I preached a sermon on forgiveness. I said that you have to forgive people who aren't even sorry for what they did or said.
Let me tell you something; it's hard to practice what I preach...
I'm tired. No. I'm exhausted. Mentally. Physically. Even spiritually.
People have said some very mean and unfair things to me. Things of which I do not believe to be true, but hurt, nonetheless.
I know that Jesus is enough. I KNOW!!!!
I know that Jesus suffered MUCH more than I ever will.
There is solace in that knowledge.
I KNOW that the accuser is a liar and will come at me where I am weak and vulnerable.
Yes, a pastor can be weak and vulnerable in certain areas of his personal life. I mean, we're people, too, after all.
I KNOW our enemy is a jerk of Biblical proportions. He was a jerk to the Father. He was a jerk to Jesus. And he is a jerk to anyone who claims the Name of Jesus for themselves.
I KNOW our enemy is not each other. But our enemy sure does use others to get you where it hurts.
I need to suit up each day in the Armor of God.
I need to pray for wisdom, discernment, and for the people who insult me and make trouble for me.
I need to seek God in every circumstance and run to Him for comfort.
I know I'm not perfect. Far from it, in fact.
I get no satisfaction from telling people how the cow ate the cabbage.
I dislike confrontation mostly because I fear I may cross a line. Too bad others don't feel that way.
Pastoring ain't for sissies.
