The Energy to Energize Others

All areas of life require balance. Andy Stanley was teaching last year on that very subject, making the argument for appropriate amounts of tension. I try to imagine my ministry & family traveling a road that runs between two very attractive (but also very destructive) ditches. I'll take them point by point:

My identity is not found in family or Ministry. My identity is found in Christ who is the Author & Perfecter of it (Hebrews 12). This is central to Energy to Energize Others!

It would be so easy & comfortable to lose myself in my amazing family who adores me. Many have done exactly that! To the detriment of all other relationships, ministry opportunities or job opportunities, they have sold out to their family and are enjoying that comfortable ditch. No question: I pastor my family before I pastor anybody else in my life, but why must it be "either-or" instead of "both-and?" Why can't I disciple my 4-year-old and an orphan nobody wants at the same time? Why can't I love my wife and lay my life down for her, while also challenging other men to do the same with their wives? Why can't I lead my family in such a way that I am leading other families as well? Simple Answer: I can and I should! It takes balance to stay out of the Ditch of Worshipping Family!!!

It would be so easy and comfortable to lose myself in my career. After all, my job description is to "Lead Calvary Cross-link to Impact the Valley & Bless the Nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Who wouldn't want to sell-out to that? I could (and have) work 80-100 hours per week and not scratch the surface of all that needs to be done here. But, it's not God's intention that I reach all the children of the world while mine go to hell without Jesus! My pastor is known for saying, "The light that shines the farthest shines the brightest at home." I believe the key is embracing my career with my family deeply involved! And, the most important part is making sure that my career flows out of my deep and abiding intimacy with Jesus. Balance keeps my focus clear!

Part of my role as Lead Pastor of Calvary Cross-link is coaching people to their God-given, Christ-honoring potential. One of the greatest "zappers" of energy is feeling like I am failing at something that I can ill-afford failure. Settling into either one of the ditches is a sure-fire way to drain all energy. My energy to energize others comes from a balanced life between the ditches!

"I'm dreaming (terrified) of a White Christmas"

As I look out my window at a large pile of snow, I am reminded that my car is underneath that pile! Ashley, Gracie and I have been stuck in our apartment for the past 2+ days with no way to go anywhere. This bad weather forced me to cancel services for today and I really didn't want to! However, it had to be done. Okay enough whining, let me make a couple of observations concerning the blizzard (I'm assuming we can call it that) and try to draw some applications...



1.) The verse in Isaiah chapter one comes to mind. "...though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow..." I can't help but think, as I look out my window, that 2 days ago everything I currently see was a different color. The grass was green, the parking lot was gray, the cars were multi-colored, the street light posts were black, the dirt was brown, etc. Well, now everything is completely white! Why? It has been COVERED! As we consider Jesus, it might seem like an oxymoron that someones blood could make something white. But, that is exactly what Jesus's blood has done for our sins; covered them and made them whiter than snow. When we look at the snow, let us pray with the hymn writer..."Now wash me and I will be whiter than snow!"

2.) When I imagined the difficulties I would face when becoming a pastor, I'll be honest and say that the weather wasn't even in the top 50. I have to admit, I am so anxious to get started on so many things, that, I have been less than excited about the "curve balls" the weather keeps throwing at me! Then I am reminded, Psalm 24:1 says "The earth is the Lords and the fullness thereof..." So, it's not the weather that's doing this to me...it's God. And, as is the case with anything else in life, I need to seek the Lord in the midst of my frustration and learn what he desires to teach me. I can say this... I have spent more time with Ashely and Gracie in the past 2+ days than in the entire week that preceded this storm. Ask yourself this question, what could God be teaching you when he forces you to slow down (or even stop)?

Please, be safe and enjoy the snow! I am praying for good weather for our Christmas At Cross-link Celebration this Thursday! I look forward to seeing you there!

Until He comes:

Pastor John