Jim Martin's Encouragement Note #16
I hope you find encouragement and hope here. Maybe you are like some of us and you are just trying to navigate life during this hard time. This pandemic is challenging, tiring, and just gets old!
Perhaps something in the following list of five will be helpful:
What Will Help You Get Through The Week?
Life is hard. So what might help us have greater stamina, perseverance, and resilience? Perhaps, as much as anything, we need take advantage of the spiritual resources we have in Christ. Yet instead, far too many of us get stuck.
John Gardner, former Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare (1965-1968), spoke at the commencement ceremony of Stanford University on June 16, 1991. In the middle ‘60s, Gardner wrote a book entitled Self-Renewal, that dealt with the decay and renewal of societies, organizations, and individuals. Gardner wrote:
I explored the question of why civilizations die and how they sometime renew themselves, and the puzzle of why some men and women go to seed while other remain vital all of their lives... I’m talking about people who have stopped learning or growing or trying...I do worry about men and women functioning far below the level of their possibilities...As you settle into your adult lives, you cannot write off the danger of complacency, boredom, and growing rigidity, imprisoned by your own comfortable habits and opinions. A famous French writer once said, “There are people whose clocks stop at a certain point in their lives.”
Do you know anyone like this?
Henri Nouwen writes in Making All Things New (p. 36):
One of the most notable characteristics of worrying is that it fragments our lives. The many things to do, to think about, to plan for, the many people to remember, to visit, or to talk with, the many causes to attack or defend, all of these pull us apart and make us lose our center.
Meanwhile, Jesus says, “Therefore, don’t worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ 32 Gentiles long for all these things. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:31-33 CEB translation)
Don’t Stay Stuck When You Can Move On
It was an official looking document that came in the mail. I was seventeen (not quite eighteen) and had been driving for almost two years. The letter was from the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. I was being summoned to appear before a court for a review of my driving privileges. I had received several speeding tickets within a short period of time and also had a wreck where I was at fault.
I was scared. Was I about to lose my driver’s license? At the designated time, I sat in a courtroom, waiting with many other people for instructions. Finally, my name was called and I was taken to a room where I met with a representative of the court.
A man sat behind the desk and began to quietly read his notes, glancing at me occasionally. Then he said, “Well you’ve had a number of speeding tickets and a wreck in a very short period of time.” He then softly asked, “What seems to be the problem?” He seemed genuinely perplexed that someone could have that many tickets and a wreck in such a short time. I mumbled something like, “I know how to drive — I’m just careless.” (I didn’t know what else to say.) As that point he said, “You will be on probation for the next six months. One more ticket and you will lose your driving privilege for a year.” I was so relieved that my driver’s license had not been suspended but wondered how I was going to drive for a year without a ticket. Yet, for the next six months, I received no tickets and had no wrecks.
I remember this moment because of the way this representative of the court spoke. No loud voice. No scolding. Rather, a look of disbelief: “What seems to be the problem?”
Right now, we are living in the middle of a severe problem - the pandemic. Of course, we are also dealing with all of life’s normal problems as well. I don’t know anyone who sooner or later does not experience something that is hard or painful. Perhaps these reminders might be helpful:
Pay attention to this problem. “What seems to be the problem?” I’ve never forgotten that question. You and I make progress when we first simply pay attention to the problem that may be right in front of us.
Acknowledge and name this problem. Scripture does this again and again for misdeeds. They are named. One place to begin is by naming it.
Choose to move on and take the next right step. I don’t want to continue saying or doing the same things and then wonder why the results are the same.
Five Ways to Bless Your Ministers and Your Church
Ministry is tough. At times, Jesus faced conflict, rejection, and hostility. Right now, many ministers in congregations throughout the country are finding their ministries to be exceptionally difficult. For many congregations, the conflict is centered around the regrouping that is taking place after a season of online-only worship services on Sundays.
Ministers hear the following and more:
Why are we even talking about going back to the building for our worship services?
Why haven’t we been having services in the building?
What do you mean we have to wear masks?
How could we even allow the people without masks to get around the most vulnerable?
This COVID-19 virus is basically a hoax.
This COVID-19 virus is deadly and has caused the death of one or more of our members.
Could it be that we need to consider the wear and tear of all this on our ministers and elders?” Many are tired and exhausted. Perhaps we would do well to ask ourselves, “What will become of these ministers and elders if they continue to absorb this kind of intensity and hostility?”
A few suggestions:
You and I can pray for these ministers and elders. These people need to know that the congregation is lifting them up in prayer regularly.
You and I can commit to behave maturely instead of allowing our raw emotion to feed into the anxiety that is already present. As a result, we may find ourselves responding to others in a way that is reactionary, snarky, and sarcastic. Often the discussion moves from an issue to something that feels very personal and very emotional.
You and I can elevate the person and our relationship with that person, above being focused on who right and who wins an argument. You may disagree with this person but what are his/her intentions? What are this person’s good qualities?
You and I can place love before our rights, our preferences, and our desires. As Christ-followers, we are called to live by an ethic that is higher than one’s own self-interest.
You and I can commit to showing up with calmness and intentionality whether by Zoom or in person.
“This pandemic is revealing the truth about our congregations. It is revealing the good that is present, as Christian people serve one another in unbelievable ways at times. It is also revealing the sin in these congregations as many attack each another, the elders, & ministers.” - Jim Martin
An Important Sentence That Could Change Your Year
The following sentence is short but potent:
I can do hard things today.
Say this sentence aloud. It is true. You can do hard things today. In fact, in the power of the Spirit, you really can do hard things today (Gal. 5:25; Rom. 8:1-17).
Consider the following:
Why procrastinate? “I can do hard things today.”
Why not do the homework that is difficult. “I can do hard things today.”
Why not forge ahead with the first step of that difficult project. “I can do hard things today.”
Why not deal with your personal finances? “I can do hard things today.”
Why don’t you make that phone call? “I can do hard things today.”
The truth is, in the power of the Spirit of God, you and I can do hard things today. We don’t have to procrastinate. We don’t have to let our fear rule. You and I can do the hard thing — today.
What is One Practice/Habit That is Helping You During This Difficult Season?
Shannon Rains (Assistant Professor of Children’s Ministry, Lubbock Christian University, Lubbock, Tx.)
I think the best thing that came out of CoVid was the opportunity to practice presence with my kids and husband. While I’m sure I still missed opportunities, there were moments to put everything away and hang with the kids and enter into their space for a time. The occasional Lego build, family games, or learning new video games from my son, these memory making moments were life-giving. Children have a gift to give us in their play.
Jake Perkins (Minister, Canadian Church of Christ, Canadian, Tx.)
During the past few months of isolation, and separation from others, I have found such simple joy in taking walks in the cool of the evening. This simple habit speaks life back into moments of despair, reminds me of the goodness of God, and allows for some undistracted time with my wife and kids. God faithfully reveals himself to us each time through nature or neighbors.
Eric Petty (Lead Minister, Skyline Church of Christ, Jackson, Tn.)
Drumming is my release. I didn’t learn to play the drums until age 40, but in the almost decade I’ve been playing, it’s been a source of catharsis, energy and creativity for me. Anytime my battery is running low, I can put my earbuds in and play along with a song or twelve and I’m back to 100%. Just something about playing a musical instrument that stimulates my brain and energy level.
Micah Cobb (Preaching Minister, Alta Mesa Church of Christ, Ft. Worth, Tx.)
I have recently combined a love of the outdoors with a need for solitude to find renewed joy and hope. My love for nature began in the Ozarks. Growing up my family would frequent this landscape, and I could feel the presence and power of God. Now, as a person who excels by accomplishing much, my necessary spiritual work is in being still. My soul is nourished with God in his creation when I’m still...and perhaps a fishing pole in my hands.
Carl Flynn (Director of Marketing and Communications for Information Technology and University Libraries, Waco, Tx.)
I find that breaking from my routine with spontaneous creative activities like photography or visual design renews me when life and schedule begin to overwhelm. Physical activity is also helpful, whether it is passing around a volleyball or shooting a few baskets. Coaching and teaching others is also a space in life where I find life and energy.
Phil Brookman (Preaching Minister, Memorial Road Church of Christ, Edmond, Ok.)
One of my surprising sources of joy lately has been old fashioned game nights, which my family together with two others have been doing a weekly basis. We play card games, board games, roll playing games, even a new game called “Throw, Throw Burrito” in which you do exactly what the name suggests! The camaraderie, simplicity, and lightness of these evenings have been a wonderful oasis from the chaos.
(I would love to hear about one practice/habit that is helping you right now. What is helping you? I value hearing your thoughts regarding this. Write me at: jmartin9669@gmail.com)
Each Thursday/Friday, I post about ten tweets especially for ministers and other believers as they anticipate Sunday. You can find me @jimmartin.
I serve as Vice President of Harding School of Theology, Memphis, Tennessee. You can find me at God-Hungry.org. You can find me on Facebook - @jim.martin. My e-mail address is: jmartin9669@gmail.com. Feel free to write. I would love to hear what is encouraging or helpful. — Jim Martin
