November 13, 2013
Palming It Off
Next week we’ve scheduled an all-church potluck
dinner to celebrate not only Thanksgiving, but also paying off the church
mortgage. There was a need for a presenter to recap our journey for the last
six years, but a couple of men jokingly declined the position saying that they
thought others were, ‘trying to palm something off on them.’ It’s interesting
that rather than seeing this as an opportunity, it was viewed as an unwanted
responsibility. I was reminded of Moses trying to squirm out of leading the
Israelites out of Egypt. In order to help with Moses’ credentials, God gave him
three different miraculous signs to perform in front of the people. Still
hesitant, Moses responded that he was not the right man for the job because he was
slow in speech and tongue. I have to laugh…Moses had three miraculous signs in
his arsenal and he references his lack of eloquence as a speaker. Certainly
miraculous signs are not warranted for our little potluck celebration, but it’s
good to be reminded of the Lord’s words to Moses, “Who gave man his mouth? Who
makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I,
the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you
what to say.” (Ex 4:11 NIV)
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Gail;
-----Your church probably has a good supply of people with enough knowledge, insights, and talent to recap the significance of its history. For these things come from good and humble hearts. But what most good and humble hearts lack is the courage to be measured by a large group of people. And face it, audiences do measure speakers, however, not maliciously. This leaves a very important social position - that of disseminating messages and influence amongst a broad group of people - open to a very different sort.
-----There is never a shortage of folks who feel the duty to project themselves. There is never a shortage of reasons why they desire to do so. For some, it is merely because they feel more secure being accepted by more people. Others are so sure their ideas are right that they must persuade as many people as possible. Many have learned that spreading certain ideas and sentiments directs money into their pockets. And a few know how to entrap the minds of others into serving their ends. The worst of these are those who fear not how an audience might measure them. Though it might be just a potluck, that important post vacated by good hearted men becomes another cobble available for laying upon the road to riches by self servants.
-----Fortunately, the few people having the courage to stand in that social position within a good church like yours are good hearted. They see their use of the position as a responsibility to build up others in ways proper to what each one is in the Lord. This is precious society called fellowship by the Holy Word. Thank God for good churches like yours. Thank God for all the good hearted people in them.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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