I am often puzzled by Christians in general and ministers in specific who think the walk and call of a believer should be easy, maybe moderately stressful on occasion. What Bible are you reading?
Here is what I think and I am pretty sure the Bible teaches. The ministry is tough! If you are not ready to handle it, you need to grow up quick or find another profession. God’s call is not to “skip your latte and follow me” or “miss your date night and follow me”. It is take up your CROSS and follow me.
Some of the greatest lessons I learned about my call were during my seventeen years in bi-vocational ministry. It was a struggle. I would work a forty hour plus week and then head to the church to follow my passion. My wife by my side, my children in tow, we would labor alongside all the wonderful volunteers who were doing the exact same thing. I was their leader, but often they were my teacher. They taught me that leadership begins with sacrificial servanthood, not status, or position.
I am afraid that there are many leaders in the church today who have not counted the cost of their calling. We need to all remember that we are called to a cross not a country club. It’s a new week! Let’s get to WORK serving the Master.
Steve has been MIA!
Well if you know anything about my life, you know that when college kicks in I get way busy! In fact today is the first day since Aug 1st that I have not had a full calendar of activities. Hopefully, I will get back on a more regular blog schedule next week as I begin to find a routine and rhythm to my life. Usually, Labor Day signals the return to a bit of normal, or at least as close as I get to it.
Thanks for hanging in with me. I have a lot on my mind but only so much time to write.
See you next week,
Steve
I want to introduce everyone to semester-one.com. After eighteen years in college ministry I decided to write a daily devotional blog devoted to college students and the things they face. Check it out and let me know what you think.
Right now I am trying to focus, wake-up, and keep moving. The last two weeks have been dizzying in their pace and in their demands. My son’s wedding, the return of students, and my extra duties at church with the married adults and worship have taken a toll on this old man’s body. The stamina is not what it used to be. On top of all of that, the University Of South Carolina has not exactly had their act together this back to school season making an already stressful situation doubly difficult. Yet, in spite of all this I am encouraged, excited, and ready to take on the next jam-packed week because of what I am doing and why I am doing it.
When Paul talks about perseverance and his ability “to do all things through Christ” he is keeping the goal in mind. In fact it is the goal that pushes him past the pain, the imprisonment, and the struggles. The goal is Christ and the things of the King. The aim is to have as many people as possible know the Savior and to have them grow in their faith, and their relationship with Him and His church. Paul can always push forward because of the driving force of the cross and the incredible grace that he has received.
I am pushing forward for the same reason! I want students, and married couples, and everyone else for that matter to know the Lord. I want them to grow in His church and in relationship with one another. There is no expense of energy too great, and there is no obstacle so big that I will not, in God’s strength, try to blow up, get around, or climb over. The stakes are too high and the goal is too lofty for me to sit down on the One who hung on a cross for me.
So to all those weary warriors who are at the end of their strength, GET UP! The Lord will provide from His riches, His Strength and His glory! For all those who are sitting on the sidelines, get to the harvest NOW. We only have this life to share the goodness of Christ to others. It is our mission, our command, and our act of worship!
Wow! If you have not noticed I have been missing in action this week. The reason I am afraid to say is that my ability to juggle the things in my life was surpassed by all the extra balls that people were throwing into the mix. The result? There are currently balls all over the floor, I am tired, and stressed beyond imagination. Hopefully I will get a few more balls back in the air today, put a couple of others aside for the moment, and get back to putting my trust in the only One who can make this life work. While I do that let me take a minute and share a couple of lessons someone once taught me about the art of juggling.
I am not sure when I learned this or even who shared this bit of wisdom but it is well worth sharing. I was taught that even the best jugglers occasionally drop balls. They attempt to keep too many in the air, they are distracted by someone on the sidelines doing nothing, or they simply have a moment of panic and forget the basic skills of juggling. They key this wise sage told me was to remember that you are always juggling two types of balls. Some are made of rubber. If you drop them they will hit the ground, bounce around, and lay on the ground with no damage done. The others are made of crystal. Drop them and they will crack, chip, or in the worst case shatter. Successful jugglers know what to drop and what must stay in the air!
For me, it means remembering that relationships with people are more important than perfect programming. That an hour with my wife in the midst of the mayhem is a critical time-out from the madness, and that listening to a new student share their story with me is more important than if every room in the college house is perfectly decorated for welcome week. As a dad it means understanding that being a good “provider” is a lot less about stuff than it is time and attention, and as a husband it means my actions need to match my words when I say marriage is the most important earthly relationship I have in my life.
Read this carefully, more importantly go live it! I am sure gonna try. Gotta go now, balls to get in the air!
This weekend we added a new member to our family and we are thrilled! Jenny Simonini Turner is my son’s new bride and the wonderful couple is off on their journey of a lifetime. Jenny is a precious young lady who brings out the best in my son. I cannot wait to see what God is going to do in their lives as they grow closer to the Lord and to each other and as they serve Him together in the Church and in the workplace.
It was quite a surreal moment, as many weddings as I officiate, to be standing in front of my son conducting his ceremony. It seems like it was only yesterday when I was coaching him in little league, teaching him the fine art of sarcasm, or challenging him to bust his rear-end on his grades. We are a lot alike, both good traits and not so good, but I can honestly say that our relationship has made me a better man. He has challenged me in a lot of ways, but often it was just by holding up a mirror to myself as I watched him mimic my habits and personality quirks and flaws. I pray that he was also challenged and that he will also continue to grow and be transformed into the man of God that both he and I are called to be. I am sure that I will have much more to say about this weekend in the days to come, but right now I need a long nap before college students hit campus next weekend.
Jenny, welcome to the family! I now have a second daughter to go alongside the wonderful one I already have in Kristin.
Ryne, it is an honor to be called your dad! Love your wife as Christ loved the Church!
Dawn, you’ve done well! Raised one great son and still challenging your work in progress husband.
Mom and Dad, the legacy that you started continues!
Lord, You are some kind of good!
