7/6/2020 By Larry Barker
Everybody desires and wants to be strong. We all look up to Superman, the man of steel, as the epitome of strength by admiring and even idolizing what he represents. Personally, I do not like admitting when I am overwhelmed, tired, or in over my head but Paul David Tripp in New Morning Mercies reminded me that, “Weakness is the window to strength. Confessing your inability produces hunger for the power that is only ever found in Jesus.” This truth came at a very needed moment having just cried out to the Lord in desperation over my inabilities.
Think about the weariness of so many decisions and the conflict of opposing views that seems to be non-stop right now. People’s personalities are revealing whether they see the glass half-full (we should all wear a mask) or if they see the glass half-empty (I’m never wearing a mask). We are challenged that we either do not care about human lives or we do not care about human liberty. A couple of months ago the issue was reopening our buildings with some never understanding why we shut down in the first place and others concerned we reopened too soon.
Pastoring and leading a church in these days is not easy but you need to be careful about your own attitude. If you want to transform how you act you first have to transform your attitude. If your attitude is beginning to stink than it will not be long before your actions follow. Living, working, and leading in a sinful world can wear you down if you allow that to happen. If your glass is half-full than you believe everyone is a good person and they always mean well. If by nature you see life as half-empty then there is a demon lurking behind every door.
First, embrace your weakness of not having all the answers. You are called to proclaim the truth of God’s word and it begins with you craving and desiring it more and more every day. John MacArthur in his commentary on I Peter says, “In view of the postmodern culture’s relentless output of informational junk food through radio, television, films, the Internet, computer games, books, periodicals … believers must commit to regular nourishment from God’s word.” Make sure you are looking for answers in His word more than your favorite news channel.
Second, don’t get caught up in every argument. Do not try to straighten out every misstatement or answer every misguided angry social media post. If the desire to win the debate drives you it becomes very easy to be drawn into a verbal war that does not glorify God. Jesus is our example and “when He was insulted He did not insult in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten but entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly.” One man was told by his father to never argue with a donkey because before long you cannot tell which one is the donkey.
Third, focus on making disciples. Admit the reality that most churches are very weak in evangelism and discipleship. Utilize this time to recommit to developing a discipleship pathway that begins with those who are far from God. Who do you know that is far from God and what are you doing about it? How can you begin building a relationship with them so that they might know and experience the love of God in their life? It is convicting to me that the area we seem to be the weakest in our churches is what Jesus commissioned us to be all about.
Fourth, admit the weakness of paralysis by analysis. Allow your light to shine so that the people around you and your church can see your good works and glorify Him. In I Peter 2:12 Peter admonishes us to, “Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day He visits.” In verse 15 he continues, “For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good.” Is your church known for how it blesses, serves and helps your community?
Fifth, admit how weak you actually are and run to the only one who can help you. Quoting Paul David Tripp again, “When you’re weary with the battle, remember that the One who is your strength never takes a break, never needs sleep, never grows weary.” Years ago I heard a message entitled, “Satan is working overtime all the time!” (half-empty) but sometimes I am tempted to forget that so is our mighty God (totally-full). Yes, we have many weaknesses but we have been guaranteed His presence and His power in carrying out His commission.
Go ahead and admit your weaknesses because Paul made it clear in II Corinthians 12:9, “Therefore I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.” So when one member says you have not stood against racial injustice as strongly as you should of and another member says you have not been supportive enough of police remember Psalm 121:1-2. “I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.”
EMBRACE YOUR WEAKNESSES
