Reflection for Monday

I've learned over time that the cliche "be careful what you ask for, you might just get it" is true, though as a Christian, changing "ask for" to "pray for" seems more fitting.  This is especially true when we ask for things like patience or humility.  We grow more patient by being asked to wait and we grow more humble by being humbled.  Experience is a great teacher when it comes to both of those. 

Yesterday, I preached a sermon that addressed the difficulties our country is facing, especially related to the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner.  I approached it from the standpoint of a disciple who must grapple with the prophetic word that pushes us to places we would rather not go and to hear truths we would rather not hear.  As the congregation was leaving, I received some very encouraging and complimentary words from several church members.  This made me feel good about my sermon, especially one as potentially divisive as this one.   

Last night and this morning, I felt that little voice in my head threatening to get louder.  It might start with: "I guess that was a pretty good sermon."  Then it might become: "I might be a pretty good preacher."  If left unchecked, eventually that voice begins to whisper: "Maybe I'm a great preacher", followed closely by stuff like, "I should be appreciated more" or "I'm better than so and so…"  It rarely gets to that point, mainly because I've got a wife, two children, and some good friends that help me to stay grounded.  If we allow it, parenting, marriage, and ministry are some really good ways to learn humility (in an honest-to-goodness, not-being-sarcastic way).  Pride is sneaky, however, and we need all the help we can get to stay grounded and humble.

This morning as I was praying, I asked God to help me to be humble.  I was trying to quiet the sneaky voice of pride.  So I prayed that God would help me to see where I need to grow, where I need to be more faithful, where I need to work harder, etc.  While I know to be careful about what I pray for, God's answer usually doesn't come within an hour.

Shortly after praying, a gentleman who had visited the church 2 or 3 times stopped by the office to drop something off.  He was talking with our front-desk volunteer and our administrative assistant who asked if he enjoyed worship yesterday.  His response was "Yeah, but I like the woman pastor better."  Prayers answered!  In total honesty, this does not bother me at all, since it has long been clear to us that different people will relate to us in different ways.  But it was a good (and needed) reminder and an answer to prayer that helped me to remember that I'm simply a vessel (or "clay jar", as Paul would have it) for the Holy Spirit to work through.

Grace and Peace,

Wes