START WHERE YOU ARE!

A pastor once thought that it was his responsibility to change the world. For years he struggled and worked. He finally became so discouraged that he decided to quit pastoring.

However, one day while thinking about things, he had a moment of insight, He decided to utilize a new strategy. “I’ll change my Elders. That’s the place for me to begin.” But he soon realized that this was not going to happen. Their resistance was fierce and he soon gave up.

“Since they didn’t respond,” he said to himself, “I’ll change the order of service.” So, he rearranged the hymns, the responsive reading, when the offering was taken and when the choir would sing, but that didn’t work either. People still complained about everything: the length of the service and even the sermons.  Finally, they threatened to quit supporting the church financially.

Suddenly he felt threatened, and said to himself, “I wonder, Could it be me?”

David had it right when he faced himself and said: “Search me, O God, and know my heart. Test me and know my thoughts.”

It is easier to look at the lives of others and see things in them that we think they need to change. It is also much easier to want them to change than to have the courage to change ourselves. God will work through us. But, He wants us to work on ourselves – to see the sin that is in our lives that He sees. And when He removes the sin and shortcomings from our lives, we will become like Him. And, when we do, we will become an example for others to change.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, help us not to be concerned about what others need to change in their lives, but what we need to change in our lives to be more like You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:     Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24