I cringed a bit after re-reading my last entry a few days ago because I realized that my closing statements might sound like an assault on large churches with advanced technology systems and pastors who write books and appear on talk shows. And perhaps, to a certain extent, it was. But its easy and all-too-common for small folks (like me) in small churches (like mine) to criticize big folks in big churches without contributing anything beneficial to the “conversation.”
I like to root for the underdog (like my pastor friend) and point out the flaws and shortcomings of the “winners,” maybe because it makes me feel better about myself. It’s tempting to try and justify my own “nothingness” by cutting down the folks who seem to be “something.” And one hidden danger of exploring and writing about the concept of “humility” (as I am in this blog) is that it would be easy to use the topic as a bludgeon for striking out at those who, unlike myself, ARE in a position of visibility and notoriety. A person standing alone on a pedestal makes for an easy target.
How quickly I can jump to conclusions about the man or woman in a high position. How naturally I can form assumptions regarding their REAL motives or their TRUE spiritual condition. How satisfying it is to imagine that their fame or their success is actually very worldly and counts for nothing in the eyes of God. But what do I reveal about myself as this thought process unfolds? It seems to me that such a response to the elevation of others points to an inner longing for this same kind of recognition and a corresponding bitterness at my own lack thereof. And that reeks with the pungent aroma of pride.
Is the pastor friend that I mentioned in my last entry a BETTER example of lowly living than a big-name big-church pastor with a slew of books on the market? I’d like to think so, but such a conclusion would be rooted in nothing but shallow observation. My desire to even the score and bring others down to my own level is an evidence of pride in my life. And my quickness to cast judgment on others who succeed should make me question how well I am walking the lowly kingdom way.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
working your way to the bottom
Last December I had lunch with a pastor of a small church in Michigan City, Indiana. I had only met this new friend a few months earlier, but our every interaction thereafter impacted me significantly. This particular encounter would prove to be our last and most profound.
For several weeks, something had been stirring in the spiritual life of my friend, and as he attempted to speak with me about it, he found himself overcome with emotion. I waited patiently as he described some of the events that had taken place, and it soon became obvious that the Lord’s hand was moving in his life. At one point in the conversation I asked my friend what he thought the Lord was up to; why these things were happening at this particular time in his life. I’ll never forget his response.
Before I tell you what he said, I think it might help to have a little background. My friend was born and raised in South Africa, and had cut his teeth in ministry working among the poor in urban slums. He had come to the United States for Bible training and had decided to stay and plant a church in Gary, Indiana; arguably one of the more impoverished and hopeless towns in the country, and perhaps the least desirable place to live in the Midwest.
After successfully planting a church in Gary, he moved on to Michigan City, just a couple of exits away from Gary on the interstate. When I met him, his church served between 50 and 75 people, depending on the Sunday, and he was involved in caring for substance abusers and homeless folks. A man who had attended the church eventually robbed the church before serving several years of prison time. Once the man was released, my friend provided lodging for this individual as he got himself back on his feet.
The more I heard of my friend’s story and ministry, the more convinced I was that this was a man who walked the lowly road of the kingdom. But, that’s why his response to my question was so surprising. When I asked him what the Lord was up to, my friend explained that all of his life, he has longed to be ready to serve among the poorest of the poor. He explained that, years ago, he had too much pride for the Lord to be able to use him in such a significant ministry. His heart was not ready for such a high calling. But, he senses that the Lord may finally be moving him toward the kind of work that he has always dreamed of doing: serving and loving the poorest of the poor, the precious prizes of the kingdom.
In other words, my friend has, with the grace of God, been working his way to the bottom. His ambition in ministry is to climb down the social ladder rather than up. Long gone from his mind are visions of large congregations, beautiful buildings, fancy technology, book tours, speaking engagements and interviews on Larry King Live. His dream is to disappear among those who are dearest to our Lord. He has heard the high calling of the kingdom, and the call is to go low.
For several weeks, something had been stirring in the spiritual life of my friend, and as he attempted to speak with me about it, he found himself overcome with emotion. I waited patiently as he described some of the events that had taken place, and it soon became obvious that the Lord’s hand was moving in his life. At one point in the conversation I asked my friend what he thought the Lord was up to; why these things were happening at this particular time in his life. I’ll never forget his response.
Before I tell you what he said, I think it might help to have a little background. My friend was born and raised in South Africa, and had cut his teeth in ministry working among the poor in urban slums. He had come to the United States for Bible training and had decided to stay and plant a church in Gary, Indiana; arguably one of the more impoverished and hopeless towns in the country, and perhaps the least desirable place to live in the Midwest.
After successfully planting a church in Gary, he moved on to Michigan City, just a couple of exits away from Gary on the interstate. When I met him, his church served between 50 and 75 people, depending on the Sunday, and he was involved in caring for substance abusers and homeless folks. A man who had attended the church eventually robbed the church before serving several years of prison time. Once the man was released, my friend provided lodging for this individual as he got himself back on his feet.
The more I heard of my friend’s story and ministry, the more convinced I was that this was a man who walked the lowly road of the kingdom. But, that’s why his response to my question was so surprising. When I asked him what the Lord was up to, my friend explained that all of his life, he has longed to be ready to serve among the poorest of the poor. He explained that, years ago, he had too much pride for the Lord to be able to use him in such a significant ministry. His heart was not ready for such a high calling. But, he senses that the Lord may finally be moving him toward the kind of work that he has always dreamed of doing: serving and loving the poorest of the poor, the precious prizes of the kingdom.
In other words, my friend has, with the grace of God, been working his way to the bottom. His ambition in ministry is to climb down the social ladder rather than up. Long gone from his mind are visions of large congregations, beautiful buildings, fancy technology, book tours, speaking engagements and interviews on Larry King Live. His dream is to disappear among those who are dearest to our Lord. He has heard the high calling of the kingdom, and the call is to go low.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
limbo stick
Unlike many dance forms that merely require a body and a good beat, dancing the limbo demands the use of a physical prop: a stick. The limbo can’t be danced without it. Fortunately, limbo sticks are easy to come by, and may vary in shape and size from a janitor’s broom to a piece of driftwood on the beach. The quality of the dance is directly related to the height of the stick; and the further a dancer advances in the dance, the closer to the ground the stick brings him.
It is dangerous to compare the cross of Christ to a limbo stick, but I think there are interesting similarities worth noting. The danger lies in the fact that the two are different in far more ways than they are alike. Whereas limbo sticks are multitudinous and easily disposable, the cross is unique and immeasurably valuable. Whereas limbo sticks move at the whim of their holders, the cross is firmly fixed in the sovereign will of God.
But one similarity between the two worth mentioning is the centrality of the wood, of the pole, of the leveling object to the performance of the dance. Where each is concerned, the dance is impossible without it. Thus, each exercises influence over every step of the dance.
A second similarity relates to the effect of each object on the dancer. As with the limbo stick, the further a grace dancer advances in the dance of the kingdom, the lower to the ground the cross will bring him. And interestingly, any dancer in either dance who does not find himself steadily progressing closer and closer to the ground must ask himself whether or not he is really participating in the dance at all.
And so, the lessons of lowliness are always taught in the shadow of the cross, the leveling limbo stick that consistently directs us downward as we dance.
from Caedmon’s Call, The Danse
Jesus dansed into the world, singing his heavenly song
He taught the danse to those who would listen and learn as he moved along
But the steps of His danse, they led to a cross
where He died while the haters mocked on
But He dansed through death’s arms and over hell’s gate
And in three days dansed forth from His tomb.
We must danse, danse, danse
Danse in God’s honor
We must yield our steps unto the King
We must danse, danse, danse
Danse in God’s honor
Let His praises ring throughout the earth!
It is dangerous to compare the cross of Christ to a limbo stick, but I think there are interesting similarities worth noting. The danger lies in the fact that the two are different in far more ways than they are alike. Whereas limbo sticks are multitudinous and easily disposable, the cross is unique and immeasurably valuable. Whereas limbo sticks move at the whim of their holders, the cross is firmly fixed in the sovereign will of God.
But one similarity between the two worth mentioning is the centrality of the wood, of the pole, of the leveling object to the performance of the dance. Where each is concerned, the dance is impossible without it. Thus, each exercises influence over every step of the dance.
A second similarity relates to the effect of each object on the dancer. As with the limbo stick, the further a grace dancer advances in the dance of the kingdom, the lower to the ground the cross will bring him. And interestingly, any dancer in either dance who does not find himself steadily progressing closer and closer to the ground must ask himself whether or not he is really participating in the dance at all.
And so, the lessons of lowliness are always taught in the shadow of the cross, the leveling limbo stick that consistently directs us downward as we dance.
from Caedmon’s Call, The Danse
Jesus dansed into the world, singing his heavenly song
He taught the danse to those who would listen and learn as he moved along
But the steps of His danse, they led to a cross
where He died while the haters mocked on
But He dansed through death’s arms and over hell’s gate
And in three days dansed forth from His tomb.
We must danse, danse, danse
Danse in God’s honor
We must yield our steps unto the King
We must danse, danse, danse
Danse in God’s honor
Let His praises ring throughout the earth!
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