Celebrating Too Soon

 Are we celebrating too early? (Long but heartfelt)

This has been weighing on my heart a lot lately, ever since I posted the picture of myself getting baptized as a young child. 

We've all seen the videos. A single athlete, a sports team and even their fans, start celebrating a point, bucket, touchdown or a home run too early, only to be disappointed by an amazing defensive play, rebound, tackle or catch from someone on the opposing team.

We've also seen the footage on the olympic stage of skiers, snowboarders or runners who slow down or start to celebrate before crossing the finish line only to be bested by another competitor who took advantage of their mistake.

There is to be rejoicing in the Christian's life too, but not too early. I used to get thrilled at the instance of someone saying yes to Jesus or getting water baptized. That still is something that I look forward to, but I don't celebrate it quite as much and I celebrate it for a shorter duration of time. 

What? Even the angels celebrate when someone gives their life to Christ! Do they? Let's see...

"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Jesus in Luke 15:10

Who what? Repeats a prayer, gets dunked underwater, starts going to church, adds Christian activities into their schedule? No, they rejoice over repentance. Repentance is transformational, it's turning away from an old and dead way of life and turning towards life - real life that is only offered by way of Jesus Christ. 

I've been thinking about my years in ministry. I have had the privilege of baptizing a lot of people. All of them took the class, all of them could explain back to me what it meant to be baptized, from a biblical point of view. Some have walked in transformational repentance and the angels did rejoice. Some, however, went into the hot tub dry and came out wet and, sadly, that is all. Some, the previous sentences not withstanding, view baptism as a kind of confession and feel the need to repeat it, often.

The church I pastor, in previous years, has had it's name listed on success lists for numbers of water baptisms. It hasn't in the most recent years and I suspect it may never again. Why? Because, for myself, personally, and for the church I pastor, it is no longer a metric of success. 

What is success? What is worth celebrating? There is a young man in the church I pastor who did not grow up in a Christian home or church, yet after his conversion, baptism, discipleship and mentoring, he lives out his faith at home, at work, in the church, in the community, in his words and in his actions. That is worth celebrating.

Do I believe in water baptism? Absolutely! It is included in the great commission. But it will be reserved for those who really intend to follow Jesus with their whole heart and life. 

Why is all this important? Jesus' main message was "Repent". I fear that we have dumbed his message down to a more palatable, "Raise your hand and say a prayer. If we celebrate too early, many people may not make it across the finish line. 

Much love and prayers,

D

Change, Changing and Changed

It has been said that the only thing that is constant is change. While that may be true for earthly things, it isn't true about God. 

“I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.”

Malachi 3:6 NLT

People change, circumstances change and I am no exception. I am a human being and, wow, do I have circumstances. These circumstances, that we all have in varying forms, change us. It's inevitable. Not only do they change us, but they change those closest to us. 

I'm not sure which is more difficult, adjusting to the changes in oneself or the changes in those around us? What if you don't particularly like the person you've changed into, or worse, the person who is closest to you has changed into? What if they don't like who you have become?

Change is hard and it is fraught with challenges to seemingly no end. As hard as it is, we have to try to focus on the One who is, as the song, One Thing Remains says, "constant in the trial and the change."

 Perhaps if we keep our attention on the one who never changes, he will guide us through these changes and, through it all, change us in the process.

5 YEARS

Years ago, in college, I was taught not to expect positive change or growth in the first five years of a ministry position, that it would take that long to even gain a little traction.

Soon after starting my present position, being the naive, older, first-time lead pastor, I was excited as more and more people began attending services. 

The problem is that when I got excited over increased numbers, I also got discouraged over the decreasing numbers that followed. 

Fast forward 5 years, as of Christmas Day, and I've learned to measure something far more valuable and telling than numbers - depth.

Even now we see signs of spiritual maturity among the people we have grown to love. As we become more like Christ together, God's specific mission for the church has become clear.

Looking back, I am thankful for the wise teaching of that particular professor. Five years and we are finally getting started.

DAILY BOOM!

“Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.””

Mark 2:4-5 NIV

How many people that are paralyzed by their past, their mistakes and their sin have we failed to get to Jesus because of the difficulty? Cut through the barriers and get people to Jesus.

DAILY BOOM!

“A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.”

Mark 1:40-42 NLT

Are we moved with compassion for all those that need healing, inside and out? By the way, that's everybody. Are we willing to love the unlovely and touch the untouchable?