Jim Martin's Encouragement Note #90
Unmasking our hidden abundance . . . Encouragers - the people who make things better . . . When we can't, he can . . . Ministry - the power of God-centered expectations . . . Ecetera
The List of Five
Unmasking Our Hidden Abundance
I couldn’t believe it! The house I was about to enter was in exclusive Highland Park, not far from downtown Dallas.
This sure wasn’t Pleasant Grove, the modest Dallas suburb where I grew up.
I was in college working part-time for an oil company. My job often entailed running errands for executives. That afternoon, I was given car keys and directions to this particular house in Highland Park. I soon learned that this was the home of the company president’s daughter. I didn’t know what was in the brown envelope. I just knew that I was supposed to have it signed and returned to the office that afternoon.
I parked the car in front of the house, walked to the service entrance, and rang the bell. A woman wearing a black and white uniform answered the door. She told me to follow her as we made our way across the massive living room. As we walked, I looked through the plate glass window into the backyard and saw the beautiful garden and swimming pool. At the end of the room, a woman was sitting on a couch alone. She looked very somber as if she had been crying. I handed the brown envelope to her.
As she opened the envelope, I discovered that I was delivering her divorce papers.
I thought about how quiet this house was. It was a beautiful house. Yet, I really couldn’t take in the beauty. After all, here was a woman in tears over the end of her marriage.
Later that afternoon, I got off work and went to my parents’ house in Pleasant Grove. Compared to the home I had been in earlier, my parents’ home seemed so modest and small.
Yet, I realized my parents had something positive in their lives that I had not seen in that sprawling home. My parents were together and I knew they loved one another.
As I grew up in these modest surroundings, I spent too much time thinking - “if only.” If only I had a larger house. If only I had more money. If only I had a better work situation. If only our church was better.
Does this sound familiar to you?
Some of us spend years wishing for more and never experiencing the joy of contentment.
Yet, Paul says, “I have learned the secret of being content . . .” (Philippians 4:12).
Some think contentment is possible only for those who seem to have it all. Others of us think we could never experience contentment because we have problems.
Surely this can’t be possible for those who have problems with their children.
Surely this can’t be possible for those who wrestle with addictions.
Surely this can’t be possible for those who have a less than desirable marriage.
Actually, you and I may have more abundance than we might realize. After all, through Christ, it is possible to experience a contentment that brings joy regardless of the circumstances (Philippians 4:10-13).
Perhaps instead of nursing our discontentment, you and I may need to celebrate what might be our hidden abundance in Christ.
Encouragers - The People Who Make Things Better!
Have you noticed? Some people seem to make things better when they are present. In fact, one person’s presence can impact an entire group.
Consider this wonderful quote by Edward G. Hale:
I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.
A friend asked me at lunch, “Could our next ten years be some of our most productive years?” We went on to discuss our mutual desire to continue serving the Lord and to finish strong.
Far too often men and women reach a certain age and practically shut down. For some, this may occur when their kids leave home and they experience an “empty nest.” For others, this may be when they have grandchildren or reach their 60s or 70s.
Yet, it could be that we are greatly underestimating our capacity to do good and make a positive difference in someone’s life. Maybe this is why I am drawn to Barnabas in the New Testament.
I love the ways Barnabas encouraged others:
By helping needy people (Acts 4:36-37)
By risk taking (Acts 9:27)
By being faithful to the call of God (Acts 13:2)
By investing in others (Acts 15:37)
You and I can make things better. Consider these two possibilities:
You and I can look for the good things that others do. Catch them doing something right! Look for what you can affirm in the life of another. I recall seeing the expression on a young mother’s face at the grocery store after Charlotte complimented her on how she handled a difficult situation with her child. Encouragement can give another energy and hope.
You and I can build up one another instead of tearing someone down. So many people got to work or school and in many ways receive the message “You don’t measure up.” Yet, what if we were committed to building others up?
When We Can’t, He Can (Journal Entry - August 5, 1998)
I have kept a journal for decades. Recently I read through one of these journals from 25 years ago. We were living in Waco, Texas, where I served as the preacher for the Crestview Church. At the time, I had been serving this church for about five years. I wrote the following regarding a ministry challenge:
These last two days have been extremely difficult and trying. In fact, they have been exhausting. . . . I do know that I must depend upon the Lord through all of this. . . . Satan’s attack will be real and strong. He has already begun. He wishes to see me discouraged, afraid and basically immobile.
In the following weeks, I read Ole Hallesby’s wonderful book, Prayer, written in 1931. In my journal, I noted several quotes:
Prayer is the breath of the soul, the organ by which we receive Christ into our parched and withered hearts. (p. 12)
My helpless friend, your helplessness is the most powerful plea which rises up to the tender father . . . (p. 20)
It often happens that we slip out of this blessed attitude of helplessness before God. Our former self-conceit and self-sufficiency re-assert themselves. The result is that we fail again to grasp the meaning of helplessness. Once more it fills us again with anxiety . . . (p. 25)
Twenty five years later, I again need to hear the importance of recognizing, that helplessness in prayer rises up to my “tender Father.” I again need to hear that God is not put off by my helplessness but that he hears my prayer.
Do you need to hear this as well?
Ministry - The Power of God-Centered Expectations (Especially for Ministers and Church Leaders)
Navigating through our own expectations can be a big issue for many ministers. Many have very unrealistic expectations of themselves, their work, and their congregations.
Sometimes we make assumptions and then couple them with these unrealistic expectations. These assumptions and expectations might include the following:
If I work very, very hard, people will appreciate me and know I am competent and worthwhile.
If I do a good job with my ministry, the key leaders in my congregation will certainly support and affirm me.
If I just explain to my key leaders what we need to do as a church, they will see that this is obviously the right approach that ought to be taken.
If I am competent and skilled, the congregation I serve will grow in number.
Perhaps some of us have expectations of ourselves and others that are unrealistic and unreasonable. Meanwhile, our expectations of God may be far too low.
What if I approached my ministry with expectations that are God centered?
Maybe I would pray more, understanding that the quality and effectiveness of my ministry are rooted in who God is.
Maybe I would seek God with all my heart believing that my ministry is all about him and bringing him pleasure.
Maybe I would abandon my ego, my success, and my agenda to the God who desires to be honored in all of my ministry.
Etcetera
I just finished reading Jonathan Murphy’s Authentic Influencer. Much of this is about the ministry and impact of Barnabas. Very good.
My friend Matt Snowden’s book Soul Culture is now available. What an excellent book! (Particularly helpful for ministers, preachers, pastors, church leaders, etc.)
Note this pdf summary of John Maxwell’s book, The Sixteen Undeniable Laws of Communication. This is a good summary of Maxwell’s very fine book.
“Welcome” to a number of ministers whom I met at the Kerygma ministry conference held at Oklahoma Christian University. A number of you are recent subscribers. A great group of people who blessed and encouraged me.
I serve as Vice President of Harding School of Theology, Memphis, Tennessee.
Every other Monday morning, I publish this “Encouragement Note.” You can subscribe at jimmartin.substack.com. You can also find me on Facebook - @jim.martin or Instagram - @jimmartin.jm. My e-mail address is: jmartin9669@gmail.com. Feel free to write. I would love to hear what is encouraging or helpful. — Jim Martin
This was a blessing to me today. Thanks. May our Lord & Father continue to use you as a blessing to others.