A while back I didn’t deliver the Sunday morning message at church because I was ill. I had battled a sore throat for a few days and felt very weak. I decided on Thursday evening to pull the plug, because I was feeling worse instead of better and called on one of our pastors at our church to preach in my place. Chris Swisher gave an excellent message. Better than I think I could have done on a tough subject. His message was Biblical, very personal, on point, and challenging. As I sat in my living room watching him, I was actually thankful he was giving the message instead of myself. I really believe he fed the flock in a way I could not have accomplished. I know he fed me.
This was only the second time in 35 years I didn’t preach as scheduled due to illness. I probably could have been there and given the sermon, but I chose to be cautious. In this age of Covid, it’s easy to stir up fear, even among God’s people. The what ifs are real concerns. What if it isn’t just a sore throat? What if I’m potentially carrying a virus that is only causing me a little discomfort but has the potential to kill someone else? What if I’m looked upon as careless and it causes someone to never return to our church … or maybe never attend any church again?
God uses these moments in our lives to school us as He shapes us into the image of His Son. I felt He used my experience that Sunday to teach me, discipline me, and grow me.
I was reminded that it’s not all about me. It never has been and never will be. It’s all about Jesus, who gave His life so you and I could have a relationship with our Creator. We all like to receive the praise of others. I really don’t think it’s a bad thing to encourage each other by sharing our honest opinions that bring praise to one another’s efforts. I’m one of those who needs to hear encouraging words from others. I don’t need it to build my ego. I need it to know that what I’m doing matters. That it helps somebody. That I’m on the right track. That my life does indeed have some purpose.
I also need to be reminded why I do what I do. Not for the praise of men, but so that others will be drawn to an intimate relationship with Christ and serve Him according to their gifts and talents. On that Sunday, God used another man to say what He wanted said in a way He wanted it said in a manner that I did not have the mindset to accomplish. God pointed to my fellow pastor like a basketball player points to a fellow teammate who fed him the ball to recognize him for the assist. God put the ball in my fellow pastor’s hands and he, in turn, tossed up an alley-oop and put the ball right where the Holy Spirit needed for the dunk shot.
I was also reminded Sunday that love involves respecting those who are afraid, even when I think they shouldn’t be. Covid has not caused me or my wife to live our daily lives in fear. When it first came out in March 2020, we heeded the reports and didn’t come in contact with others. But then we came to a point where we decided this couldn’t continue forever. We then made the decision that we would rather see our grandchildren and die than not see our grandchildren and die. Did you catch that? In either case, we’re going to die someday. We all will. We then went back to the old normal as much as possible.
I think some people should be vaccinated. I think some people should be more cautious than others depending on their physical condition and health issues. I think some people have things going on that could cause them to be afraid. But being afraid doesn’t mean any of us need to live in fear. Out of respect for those who are afraid, but are not living in fear, and proving it by their church attendance, I stayed home. I think that’s love.
I’m thankful for a fellow pastor, like Chris, whom God has gifted to do what I cannot do well.
1 Peter 4:10-11 NIV
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.
I’m also thankful God reminds me to be sympathetic to the feelings of others.
Romans 15:1 We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves.
So, the two reminders God gave me were basically these: It’s not about me. It’s all about my Lord who continues to be in the business of saving souls.
