Several years ago, I had a conversation about the Bible being the ‘Living’ word of God, and that many times when reading the same passage at different times in my life, I received a different message.
I have remembered that conversation over the years and we have had many conversations since where the family member now agrees. That transformation is something worthy of its own post, but not the subject matter today.
For quick reference, this is about the Pharisees trying to trap Jesus by asking him was it OK to heal someone on the Sabbath, followed by the teaching on humility at the table (in an honored seat or stuck in the back row).
Essentially the message from the pastor was on humility and quietly serving others.
The sermon was great, but I couldn’t help but feel God pointing a finger at me (as I usually do)! All I heard was a message of conviction. I just spent yesterday concerned about not being seen here. Don’t misunderstand, I am here for the right reasons and wish this could happen without my name or accolades. I spent a lot of time looking for a way to keep my name off this project, but Substack has at least made it hard. But my concern about being seen was based on ‘how can I serve’ without someone to serve? I have very little doubt that there are people in this world with the same needs as me, both before and after God transformed me. I know several, and am related to a few. I have had conversations with them and know when we are ready, they will be here. But I think if I was reading my posts and found that every comment or subscription was a member of my family, I would lose hope that this was something for me. Then there are the rules. They take the fun out of everything, don’t they? Unfortunately the enemy immediately began using these against me. “Lots of views but no subscriptions eh? Nobody cares!” Now I understand that most here are likely skeptical that once you subscribe, your inbox will be under attack. And there are a lot of people that may view a post and feel this is no benefit to them. But unfortunately, anytime I connect to work on my next post or planning the next step, there are these nasty things called stats that are suddenly all I can see. And I let the enemy win. I literally asked AI if my stats were normal.
After being convicted this morning for the desire to be seen, He wasn’t through with me. He then re-convicted me by pointing out that that same desire had me wanting to be at the head of the table. Well that is an overstatement but a conviction none the less.
Then came the best part. Our desire should be to serve those in need. Not the known but the unknown. Not the prominent but the unseen. Not the noisiest but the quiet. Those with no where else to turn.
I have a friend, who I am sure will join me here at some point, who has endured hardship in his life that would have resulted in many like me throwing in the towel. I don’t think I would have survived. In his youth, self satisfaction turned to addiction, and we know where that leads. At one point, he lost his wife and other friends in the same incident. He was suddenly alone except for his mom and infant son. The burdens of life and addiction became too much. His mom stepped in for his son, but he went off the deep end. After 2 convictions and jail time, He found Christ. I know a lot of good people in this world, but this man has ranked number one for me in who on this planet would I entrust my life to. I began to feel this way about him after only knowing him for a few months. Having only met him about 11 years ago, and not spending a lot of time with him after the first year or so, I have to explain that the reason for the admiration for this man is the immediate and total change in him. It wasn’t just a whim, it was complete and permanent.
Having coffee a few months ago, the only face to face time I have spent with him in years, we had a discussion about his faith. I was appalled to hear how little he knew about Jesus, yet how strong his faith remained. He wasn’t attending church, rarely read scripture, but was confident in his love for Jesus. He is saved. The discussion obviously turned to John 10:10 and the abundant life. I have no doubt that the first thing he did when he got home that night was open his bible. I hope one day he is here to tell his story. It is an amazing, real world experience that would help many people. Especially those who have been where he has been. Since the day of his transformation, he has been and still is an every day AA participant and sponsor. It is his ministry he told me.
I have also had similar conversations with many family members. I recently discovered that of my four sisters, one close to me in age essentially had the same working knowledge of the bible and our faith, however one of my younger sisters, raised in the same house, same parents, same church and pastor, could have taught each other a few of the most basic things like does God speak to us, or are we called to share the Gospel. I have been astounded. It has almost been like we never attended church in our lives and believed in what we stumbled across on social media!
So I KNOW there are people who can benefit from the loving, safe support of a small group. Yet I let the enemy question that knowledge. How amazing is our God. Right on cue, I abide by showing up to get filled up for the week ahead and he slaps me with the cold hard truth. This isn’t about me. I need to be more faithful. He is directing this process, not me. Praise him!
Let’s grab a coffee. The Shepherd is speaking.