I am not Moses

Today’s Daily Bread devotional used Deuteronomy 9 as a base. That chapter falls at the end of Moses’ lengthy discourse reminding the Israelites of what God had done for them. Most of the events cited by Moses are not happy ones: they tend to be rebellious moments for the nation, and in several instances, God was ready to completely wipe out His people. Moses says that in each case, he prayed to the Lord to turn from His wrath—for 40 days and nights! That’s a long time to contend for a stubborn, rebellious people who don’t value one’s leadership. And that’s a long time wondering what morning one will awake to find the Israelites eradicated.

I don’t have to worry—yet—about stubborn, willful people in the congregation here. But it’s encouraging—and telling—that Moses didn’t look for an opportunity to leave his position. Talk about when the going gets tough! The lesson—and encouragement—is that I need to remain faithful to the calling God has placed on my life, regardless of what others do, say or think. And I need to pray for those who through ignorance or stubbornness or rebelliousness, or even sheer stupidity, offend God and incur His judgment.

And we’re not talking non-Christians here. We’re talking about God’s people—His chosen ones! Considering Israel’s history with God, one would think they’d understand by now what a great thing God had going for them. But no, they are so stubborn and selfish—remember, we’re talking about people who know what God is like, have experienced His love, witnessed His protection, and benefited from His provision—and God reaches His “breaking point” several times. But for Moses, the rest of the Old Testament would be blank pages!

Five months and counting...

Five months have passed since we arrived. One of the men in the church stopped by last week. Said he needed to “chill” a while before going into work. His six-month relationship with his girlfriend has taken an interesting turn. And he was at his wit’s end about what to do. So we listened to a CD he’d brought with him, and we chatted…rather, he talked and I listened.

His cell phone went off at one point, and he stepped out of the office to answer (turned out to be his business partner). I overheard him say that he couldn’t talk right now because he was “with his pastor.” That was a shot in the arm for me, only because it indicated that I’m becoming accepted here. By this I mean people are getting used to me being here, and are getting comfortable with my role. And that’s a good thing.

There are so many things to do, some more important than others. Of course, the trick is distinguishing the two. Especially because eventually all will need to be addressed. Some carry the luxury of delay, at least for now, but they will eventually move higher in priority

A well-oiled machine?

Well this starts the first full week in my office. Though I don’t yet have all the furniture in. Next Sunday will also mark five months as Pastor of Ministries. It’s hard to believe the time has flown so fast. Another month and we’ll be eligible to apply for membership in the church, and I will also be eligible to become an “official” elder.

My wife asked me last night whether I’d given any more thought to seminary. I’ll need to find a decent school, one that has a distance-learning program and is not too expensive. Yeah, right. I also don’t want to obtain a seminary degree just to get a seminary degree. Though it will go a long way, especially in New England.

Our annual business meeting convenes tonight. Usual budget stuff. I prepared a presentation of the church year in review and burned a CD to accompany it. Hope everything works as it’s supposed to.