Finding Joy in the Small Stuff

I love what I do. This past Sunday I had the privilege of leading our congregation in worship and teaching them from God's word. Not only that I made the power point for our service, along with the song selection while having 7 smelly, hungry, but awesome guys stay at my house. I was tired and drained emotionally as many pastors are. I woke up today and headed to work, and sat in the empty sanctuary. I could still hear the music from Sunday, humming to myself to the chorus'. I sat back and thought about how far God had taken me and joy of the small things. I do find joy in preaching God's word, I find joy in leading small groups, leading worship, in sitting in a coffee shop or food place debating or talking about Scripture, but I didn't think about any of those things in that silent sanctuary.

My first thought went to when I got my first office. When I came to FBC in 2008 I was just a summer intern. From there I was given the position of youth pastor which eventually led to being an Associate/Youth Pastor. I was so excited just to have an office. Now my office was originally a stockroom filled to the brim of old junk and papers that I could barely get in there. Lucky for me there was a desk under all the debris and I eventually cleaned it out and overtime my wife and I painted the walls. I decorated it with movie posters, bday/Xmas cards given to me, and my college diploma and ordination certificate. It made me smile because I guess I felt like a big boy, but that office has meant a lot to me. I have had some serious conversations, made some hard decisions, written 17-20 sermons, had disagreements and had a youth come to Christ in that office.

Another small joy I thought of was when I received my keys. I was so excited that I had keys that opened everything. I was excited that I was given responsibility over a building and really that I could open any door! I have spend late nights there, had parties, stayed overnight to finish a paper, hidden in many rooms (for hide and go seek....not trying to be creepy), cleaned out many rooms. I know this seems so small but it brings me joy to know that I have been given that kind of responsibility.

I say all of this because it is easy to be so busy, and so overwhelmed with work and life that we never stop to think about the small things that bring us joy. These memories were from within my work, that I could sit back and reflect on those things that seem so small yet are so big.

I think this has biblical over tones as well. We can get deep in theology (which isn't bad as I do), deep in debate or discussion, or just busy with life, kids, marriage, work, stress but essentially for help, for joy, for peace we return to the basics: the gospel--love, grace, mercy and forgiveness.

What are some small joys you are thankful that God provided in the midst of your business?

Write them in the comments section or send me a message. I wouldn't mind knowing.

Be Blessed

Praying for Your Future Leaders

Anyone who has worked as a boss, or a manager or someone who has had to hire someone into a place of leadership understands the importance of finding the right leader. In the church it is no different. We need good, godly leaders to lead our churches and ministries no matter how big or small. The most vital and important aspect for a church and choosing its leader is prayer.

Luke 6:12-15
"One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor."

We all know Jesus would often withdraw to solitary places to pray. Here it is no different. But it is not where Jesus prays but why he prays that is significant. Luke indicates that Jesus prayed the entire night. For what? "When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them."
Jesus prays for those whom God would appoint from disciples (pupils, students) to apostles (sent out"ones). This was a big decision. Jesus would use these men to be the witnesses of his ministry (see Acts 1). Notice that there were many disciples. Jesus had multiple disciples following him (as indicated by Greek plural of the word) and he chose (elected) twelve. He didn't choose everyone but he spent time praying about who those twelve would be.

A similar situation happens in Acts 1:13-23. Here Jesus has ascended into heaven and the apostles are looking to fill Judas vacancy. They are gathered together "constantly in prayer." While the apostles do have a specific criteria (or resume) for those who can be an apostle (see 1:21-22), they still see the priority of prayer. They narrow it down to 2 leaders and instead of making a off the cuff decision or taking the coolest guy, they pray. But look at their prayer: "Lord you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen." The apostles are now modeling what Jesus had done for them in Luke 6! They know God knows everything. He knows the inner hearts of man. They ask that HE would elect or choose the leader best to represent Him.

We should do the same with our churches. Churches have fallen to pieces over bad leadership or poor decisions in picking the wrong people to lead. We must immerse ourselves in prayer about our leaders. This not only applies to staff or pastors but to our small group leaders and our volunteers. If prayer is vital and important for Jesus and his disciples in regards to leadership then how important should it be for the church today?

Be Blessed