Contrary to popular opinion, pastors struggle with issues of faith, too. I don’t struggle with or wonder about the reliability of the Bible or the realness of Jesus, but I struggle with other issues of faith at times.
It is not my nature to sit quietly by and wait for God to do His thing. I think He moves too slow a lot of the time. I’m not very patient. Anyone who works with me will tell you that.
When I’m falsely accused, i want to lash out and set the record straight. I know I’m that way.
I feel like truth often takes too long to make itself heard.
I have found it hard at times to trust God with my children. I have become anxious about their futures and wanted to protect them from every evil influence - even as they have become adults.
Sometimes I even get disappointed with believers. Sorry, but I’m just being honest.
I don’t fully understand how people can live with such a wide chasm between what they profess to believe and what they actually live out.
I see too many people compartmentalizing the Bible and rationalizing their disobedience, seemingly without an ilk of conscience over it - they think it’s all fine with God just because it somehow ‘works’ for them.
I see too many people harboring personal bitterness and anger when we are clearly commanded to forgive.
I see too many people forever complaining and gossiping with no apparent agenda except selfishness or to hurt others - even though the Bible calls those attitudes and patterns sin.
I see too many people living rebelliously toward the various authorities in their lives when the Bible is clear we're to be in submission to those authorities - in fact, we're to be in submission to one another.
I see too many people living for the here and now rather than for eternity.
I admit it. I wonder about those issues of faith at times.
But here’s the bottom line: I see too many people ... and I need to get my eyes off of you and back on Jesus - and you need to get your eyes off of me and back on Jesus.
And be blessed.
2 comments:
Thankyou Pastor Kevin,
I'm going through alot at the Towers with gossip and false accusations about me as well. You really hit home today. Please keep in prayer as I will keep you and your family in mine. I really miss talking to you.
I am sure I am a minority with your readers, but I do struggle with the Bible. I can't reconcile how God is love, but it is so violent and punitive. I know you have tried to explain it, but it's my heart and the softer side of me that doesn't understand.
Seriously, I don't know what to think of myself anymore. I believe 100% in Jesus, but I question the bible. I do not live my life the way He would want me to. I do perfectly fine in many areas, but others, not so well.
I often think of you as a "rock star" of Kenosha. It's nice to hear you say that we need to get back to the main thing. For myself, you are a tenuous thread to the church anymore. The more time that goes by, the further I go. I guess I am the one sheep. Maybe someone will take the time and interest to connect with me and renew my passion for God and the church. Then again, maybe I will just go my way in time. It's a big church. You can only do much. I don't have a lot of deep friends, but the ones I do have can make or break me.
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