...certainly I'm not qualified to do so. Throughout life, I've learned many lessons in humility. And a wise man keeps telling me to never overestimate the spirituality of the sheep...or perhaps the shepherds either.
I felt prompted to write this when I heard that a current pastor recently announced his relational sin. I'll spare you his name because most of you (who read my blog) don't know of him anyway. One thing that strikes me is that this is the first leader of my "generation" [and by that I mean this "new" style of socially-connected, blog-writing, straight talking young church planter group that is in vogue now] to announce his fall from grace.
This reminds me that we are all only steps from the wrong path (don't I know it!) There is nothing new about sin nor the temptations which seek to snare us. (For better thoughts on this than I can articulate see this article here.)
As I read his confession, I was pondering how it was that knew of him as I don't regularly read his blog when I remembered the incident of the stolen trailer and response to it. In it, this pastor shared about what he would do if and when he caught the thief of the trailer. [I'll pause while you read it for full effect.]
This is what prompted me to write. I don't glory or revel in sin. Our sin means satan has won (in the short term.) Our sin means that others and ourselves are going to be affected by consequences...hard ones. I totally believe that God can and will bring good out of this situation and restore what the locusts have eaten. Yet the way will be hard because something nasty has taken root, which must be ripped out and healed. It's sad...so sad.
I don't point fingers or cast judgment because I understand the frailty of people who can do stupid things and make terrible mistakes from first hand knowledge. But it makes me think of Jacob when he wrestled with the angel. After, he walked with a limp, broken and humbled...yet healed and blessed in spite of it all.
I read about this today and was sad and reminded to be more full of compassion. I was humbled because I have no stones to cast...I too am a limping sinner saved by grace.
I pause because just when I think I am righteous enough to get up on my high-horse...Jesus reminds me that, in fact, I'm so far from it.
Every week I am confronted by stories of the stupid, tragic choices people make. They come broken and humbled, desperate...fired, in debt, relationally bankrupted..hurt by their choices and the choices of others. [Literally...those are just the stories I heard this passed week!]
This morning I'm reminded that if my patience is wearing thin...if my voice is growing condescending, if I am weary and leaning towards judgment or vengeancee...I need to pause, be humble and consider my limp.
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