No one wakes up in the morning, looks in the mirror, and says, “I cannot wait to experience pain today! It’s going to be so awesome!” Instead, we strive for comfort. That is why we go on our favorite vacations, enjoy our favorite meals, watch our favorite movies, cheer for our favorite teams, play our favorite games, and hang out with our favorite people. Notice the word “favorite” inserted into each experience of comfort. We choose what makes us “feel good.” It’s a natural pursuit of the human heart.
When we experience pain, we have different feelings. We tend to “fight against it.” We almost assuredly get discouraged or frustrated. Usually, we ask God to take it away, and we do everything we can to end it. It’s in these monumental moments that the greatest growth can take place. The Apostle Paul was a man who was unlike most men. Instead of fighting against “pushback,” he embraced it as a means to others hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was willing to go through whatever it took for the “Good News” to get out to as many people as possible. What if we changed our thinking to be like Paul’s thinking?
There have been several times over the years in ministry where I have had people “push against” my philosophy of ministry. Many of these people were and are good people, in the sense of loving Jesus. The problem is that they just didn’t agree with me on the “how.” In the first year that I came to Emmanuel, there were over 100 people who left the church. Talk about a chaotic start. I was called a liar. I was told that I was a legalist (Wow! That was a new one!). I was told that I was “too young” to lead. So many people had opinions. I’m sure in some cases they were right. Ultimately, it served to advance the Gospel. Why might you ask? It’s because, most not all, of the people were not Gospel-centered. In the long run those early and difficult years were what we needed to experience the Gospel growth that God has so generously given to us now. All I cared about then was the Gospel. All I care about now is the Gospel.
Paul was only concerned about the Gospel. In fact, he feared that when the Philippian church heard that he was in a Roman prison that they would get the wrong impression. Paul was saying to them: “This is a good thing, no matter how it might look!” How could this be a good thing? It truly was because more and more people were able to hear a presentation of the Gospel because of Paul’s “chains.” Making the trip from Judea to Rome took a very long time with “shipwreck experiences” and thousands of miles of travel. When Paul found himself in Rome, he took advantage of the opportunity. Instead of sulking, he served. Instead of being bitter, he was better. Instead of being complacent, he had compassion. In Rome, he literally led some of the elite Palace Guard Roman leaders to Christ (Philippians 4:22). God had taken a small group of 120 disciples in Jerusalem and had empowered them to spread the Gospel all over the known world. Paul’s pain was for others’ gain!
When I remember back to those early years at Emmanuel, I now see what needed to happen for God’s glory. I wish I would have had the same attitude as Paul. At times, I was angry and frustrated instead of patient and joyful. I remember at the time, certain people who were antagonistic toward me saying things like: “What’s his agenda? What’s his ‘end game’? What’s his masterplan?” Back then, and assuredly now, my only agenda is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I don’t really care what people think of me. For sure, I deeply love people, but I’m never going to make everyone happy. By the way, neither are you, so stop trying! At Emmanuel, we passionately and faithfully preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ! In the last couple of weeks, we have seen three adult men come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! Hallelujah! That’s all that matters. What happens to me doesn’t matter. This was the attitude of Paul. His pain brought the greatest gain. I want deeply to be like Paul! I want you to deeply be like Paul!
Take a minute and read James 1:2-4 and begin to change your attitude about “pushback and pain.” God is doing something in your life. Receive it. Accept it. Embrace it. You are meant to be his empty vessel to be used to glorify him. Amen.
When we experience pain, we have different feelings. We tend to “fight against it.” We almost assuredly get discouraged or frustrated. Usually, we ask God to take it away, and we do everything we can to end it. It’s in these monumental moments that the greatest growth can take place. The Apostle Paul was a man who was unlike most men. Instead of fighting against “pushback,” he embraced it as a means to others hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was willing to go through whatever it took for the “Good News” to get out to as many people as possible. What if we changed our thinking to be like Paul’s thinking?
There have been several times over the years in ministry where I have had people “push against” my philosophy of ministry. Many of these people were and are good people, in the sense of loving Jesus. The problem is that they just didn’t agree with me on the “how.” In the first year that I came to Emmanuel, there were over 100 people who left the church. Talk about a chaotic start. I was called a liar. I was told that I was a legalist (Wow! That was a new one!). I was told that I was “too young” to lead. So many people had opinions. I’m sure in some cases they were right. Ultimately, it served to advance the Gospel. Why might you ask? It’s because, most not all, of the people were not Gospel-centered. In the long run those early and difficult years were what we needed to experience the Gospel growth that God has so generously given to us now. All I cared about then was the Gospel. All I care about now is the Gospel.
Paul was only concerned about the Gospel. In fact, he feared that when the Philippian church heard that he was in a Roman prison that they would get the wrong impression. Paul was saying to them: “This is a good thing, no matter how it might look!” How could this be a good thing? It truly was because more and more people were able to hear a presentation of the Gospel because of Paul’s “chains.” Making the trip from Judea to Rome took a very long time with “shipwreck experiences” and thousands of miles of travel. When Paul found himself in Rome, he took advantage of the opportunity. Instead of sulking, he served. Instead of being bitter, he was better. Instead of being complacent, he had compassion. In Rome, he literally led some of the elite Palace Guard Roman leaders to Christ (Philippians 4:22). God had taken a small group of 120 disciples in Jerusalem and had empowered them to spread the Gospel all over the known world. Paul’s pain was for others’ gain!
When I remember back to those early years at Emmanuel, I now see what needed to happen for God’s glory. I wish I would have had the same attitude as Paul. At times, I was angry and frustrated instead of patient and joyful. I remember at the time, certain people who were antagonistic toward me saying things like: “What’s his agenda? What’s his ‘end game’? What’s his masterplan?” Back then, and assuredly now, my only agenda is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I don’t really care what people think of me. For sure, I deeply love people, but I’m never going to make everyone happy. By the way, neither are you, so stop trying! At Emmanuel, we passionately and faithfully preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ! In the last couple of weeks, we have seen three adult men come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! Hallelujah! That’s all that matters. What happens to me doesn’t matter. This was the attitude of Paul. His pain brought the greatest gain. I want deeply to be like Paul! I want you to deeply be like Paul!
Take a minute and read James 1:2-4 and begin to change your attitude about “pushback and pain.” God is doing something in your life. Receive it. Accept it. Embrace it. You are meant to be his empty vessel to be used to glorify him. Amen.