Is Your Pastor a Superhero?

It’s heart wrenching every single time. Whether it’s Spiderman, Superman, Batman, or any other superhero, they always hit that wall. “What if I just stop? What if I put away the suit/leotard/mask/cape and go on living my life as a journalist or a billionaire? No matter how much I try to help these mere mortals, they always turn against me!” They sacrifice their identity, their love life, their sleep, and yet human kind is never satisfied. They even consider them villains. The people they’re giving everything for are being ungrateful and they want to quit. They don’t want to be a superhero any longer.

As one of the pastors of a small church, I’ve found myself in this dilemma many times. I am confident I am not alone in the ranks of those who serve by leading people. It’s difficult. It’s time consuming. It’s mentally, emotionally, and physically draining. It’s heartbreaking. It’s also not optional.

“If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith” (Philippians 1:22-25 ESV)

Ministry is the cold tile floor on a December Monday morning. My selfishness is the warm blanket of a Saturday afternoon. I did not choose ministry for the glory. I am bi-vocational as many others are, so it wasn’t for the riches. It wasn’t an option. I am called to this. Just like those superheroes: no matter how much they try to get away from it, they can’t get away from who they are.

This is who I am. God has called me to serve His people in my local church. I am broken. I am flawed. I am unworthy. I am called to serve. I’m not a superhero, I’m a servant. I’m not perfect, but I am full of love. Take a second today and send a message of encouragement to your pastor. They are most likely thinking of you. 

This post originally appeared on www.mybigjesus.com. 

(http://www.mybigjesus.com/2016/09/26/is-your-pastor-a-superhero/)

Youth vs Truth

As I was reading Galatians I went to this verse. As far as having "favsies" this is probably one of my top 5 favorite Bible verses. Then I started thinking about it, why has it been my favorite? That's when the title, Youth vs Truth came to mind.

In my youth, I used this verse as a reason to be a jerk to people. I incorrectly took scripture, and made it so that if someone was wronged by me, I could reason with myself. "If I'm trying to please God and not seek man's approval, I shouldn't be concerned with how they feel. It's not my responsibility to have everyone feel great!" There are definitely times when this verse actually means just that. However, upon some meditation, I had to confess to myself and to my God that this was not my intention. I was using this verse because I wanted to be right. I did not want to have to deal with consequences such as broken people who were making bad decisions and I called them out on it. I didn't want to lift others up and humbly serve them. I didn't care about the people my God, who I supposedly was following, told me to love unconditionally.

In my maturing process (as I'm not immature enough to say it's complete), I have come to some realizations. One of them is regarding this specific verse. It should never be used as an excuse to not have to deal with people's brokenness. It should never be used as a reason to be unfair, or uncaring when dealing with situations that call for confrontation.

The gospel is offensive. If I am pursuing Christ with every ounce of my being, chances are people will be offended. I believe the meaning of this verse to me has transformed from Youth to Truth.
Youth - make a decision/claim/statement, if people are upset or offended, it's their own fault and you just keep moving on
Truth - make a decision/claim/statement, if people are upset or offended, lift them up to your Father. Love them like the Son did. Pray that the Holy Spirit will change their heart and they will be humbled by God, not you.

Above all, pray for yourself. Pray that your decision/claim/statement is in line with the vision God has given you. Pray that your heart towards those people will not be hardened. Pray that you're not using scripture to be right, but rather to always further God's Kingdom.

Math Class

I am taking a math class. I haven't taken one in about 10 years. I don't like it.

Idealism vs innocence

It is difficult to maintain your idealism when your innocence is taken away. That has been the theme of what I keep learning. How does initial passion, desire, and optimism wane so quickly? I am referring to my walk with Christ. I love Jesus. I know He loves me. I know He can do things we think are impossible. Yet, my first reaction upon stumbling on a difficult situation is always "well, there's no hope for this. It's a lost cause".

It is interesting that I write situations and/or people off because I think they are too far gone, when I was also far gone and God's reach was long enough to capture me. I do not want anyone to misunderstand and think I have lost my faith or I'm having a faith crisis. It is just that I am constantly battling my own sinful initial reaction, rather than looking for an opportunity for God to work. Romans 10:20 says "I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” God is always reaching for us. For every single one of us. It's so much easier to say than to put to practice in everyday life. I am not sure why I sometimes go by living my everyday life as if I'm omitted from being on a mission. It's as if I'm thinking "well I'm going to work this morning, so I'll have to wait till Sunday to see God in action". I know it's not true, you know it's not true, yet I know that it's hard to live life like that everyday.

I had a conversation recently with a close friend. What an encouragement. One of those guys that even though some of his innocence has been taken away by life's matters and situations, has not lost an ounce of his idealism. What a Spirit filled brother! He is facing some major decisions in his life and making all the right necessary steps in seeking God's mission for him. Yet he is open to throwing all his plans away in case God calls him to something else. All with a smile on his face and passion in his heart.

I want that passion back. I live my life for the Lord everyday. I am guilty of not always showing it. I am guilty of losing my idealism. One of my all time favorite stories is that of the disciples trying to heal the boy of his epilepsy and not being able to. Then Jesus comes along and BAM! the kid is healed. The silly disciples go up to Jesus and ask him "why could we not do that?". They more than likely followed all the right steps, prayed the right prayer, maybe even laid hands on him. Yet it didn't work. They went through the motions, but with no belief. I don't want to go through the motions without belief in my life. The story ends with this:
"For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 (ESV)

Pictures from Sicily trip

You can find most of the pictures from Tiffany and myself's Sicily trip last month by going to this link: http://community.webshots.com/user/albanianardi and looking for the album called Sicily 2011 all the way at the bottom. Enjoy, I know I did.