If there’s one thing I can’t stand (actually there are a few), it’s jealous, insecure, or bitter preachers. Neurotic crybabies or arrogant kingdom builders, God help them and us when they’re forced to face their own “stuff.”
Imagine my surprise when I discovered I was one.
A few months ago, my son Joel wrote about a former pastor he had met who now owns a smoke shop. He got burned by a church experience, and I guess he decided to keep the fire going.
I fired off a riff about ministry, and found myself using a compelling phrase to describe our calling – The Relentless Pursuit of the Glory of God.
That term kept resonating in my spirit.
Later the same night, I heard about a new church plant not far away, whose first two Sundays had doubled anything my church plant had done back in the day.
Jealous.
Couldn’t help it. Well, maybe I could help it, but I didn’t want to.
We were going through a difficult season at the time, and here was some guy (actually a great guy) rocking and rolling on his church’s honeymoon.
As I went to bed, feeling sorry for myself for all our troubles and stresses, that original phrase kept coming back. The Relentless Pursuit of the Glory of God. The Lord was reminding me of what ministry – and life – is all about.
God.
I know it’s almost a cliche, but it’s still true – it’s not about me, but about Him. Not my glory, but His. Not the church’s success or renown, but His. And the implication is that we can be a church filled with saved and sanctified people, but God will still be a pursuit. He is both host and guest, and the owner and perfecter of His church and the people in it.
Glory.
Those who set their sights on earthly trappings and measures of success – pleasure, prosperity, pride - lower themselves from the heights of their calling. It isn’t just the pursuit of God here, but the glory of God. His beauty. His joy. His majesty. His honor. His fame and renown. He wants to make Himself beautiful in our eyes and His name famous in our testimony.
Pursuit.
This is a chase. An adventurous drive toward Someone we never fully capture. Yet we pursue, finding joy in the journey and excitement in the promise of His glory.
Relentless.
Not moody – determined. Relentless enough to “break up the hardened ground.” Relentless enough to go deep and root ourselves. Relentless enough to eliminate whatever distractions, conflicts, or hindrances may choke off our fruitfulness.
I guess if I wanted to compare myself and my church with somebody else, it ought to be with the One who is Author and Finisher, Owner and Financier of His operation. Anything short of that would be the work of one of those crybabies or kingdom builders.
Surely that can’t be me!
(Or you?)
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Andy, how often I’ve found myself in the same shoes you describe in this post: jealous of another’s ministry. And, like you, the Lord turns to the finger I’m pointing at myself and asks, “Shouldn’t that be pointing My way?” I like that phrase, “The Relentless Pursuit of the Glory of God.” That is what it’s all about. All the other stuff, that’s just chaff that needs to burn away. Pursue Him and His glory FOR His glory (not my own, but that’s another post, eh?!).
Tree Newts last blog post..Specifically Unspecific Prayer
good timing on this post. just this morning, i was getting discouraged and being sort of a crybaby to myself. i needed this reminder today. thanks.
@TN and @Rhett – Thanks for the encouragement, guys. You’re a blessing!