I have some thoughts I’d like to put down in black and white so I don’t forget them later. That’s what this blog post is about today, nothing less, nothing more – so please forgive me if it’s raw, incomplete and somewhat random.
The other day, I was talking with someone about ministry – specifically youth ministry, and they made a comment to me that has me stewing a bit. We were talking about former students who are engaged in the church and seem to be walking with Jesus and former students who, as far as we know, aren’t. The person I was talking with said, “Well, I’m sure you’ve had some disappointments…” My first response was to say, “yes” – but something stopped me. Something about that statement has been bugging me the past few days. Let me share why:
As Christians, when we introduce someone to Jesus, what are we introducing them to?
Are we introducing them to a quick-fix for all their life’s problems?
Are we introducing them to a new “system” of life that requires they delete their old system for this new “upgraded” one?
Or, are we introducing them to an opportunity to find redemption from sin and inviting them to go on a journey in a relationship with Jesus Christ that begins with and results in total life transformation?
Honestly, I am finding that a lot of “believers” want the first two options to be the norm for people. The reality I am discovering as a pastor is that, it’s not.
Established believers often want for a new believer to immediately exhibit the character of Christ and see it lived out in everyday life from their vantage point, in their timing, and by their definition. Let me give you a simple example: We have a meth addict in our church – this lady has been plagued by substance abuse and addiction since her early teens – she is now in her late forties and recently came to saving faith in Jesus Christ. Her ability to move past drug addiction has and will continue to be a great battle for her, one that I may never see completely won in my ministry or lifetime. Could God deliver her from her addiction in an instant, and allow her to display the character of Christ in her everyday life right from the get-go? Absolutely. Does He always choose to do that? Absolutely not. Drug addiction is an easy one to see that reality in…but isn’t it true in every other person in most areas of life? Who determines how life transformation takes place, at what rate, and in whose timing?
I think Christians struggle with this concept of transformation. If we were to draw a line graph of a person’s life once they meet Jesus, we’d want for it to be a linear line that is on a constant uphill swing. No dips. No valleys. Certainly no U-turns allowed. No curves. No twists - just uphill all the way into eternity. In fact, I used to get frustrated with teens in youth ministry whose walk with Jesus resembled a Disneyland roller-coaster ride. However, as I get older, I’m starting to rethink my views on this “linear” growth process.
Pick a Bible person…almost any from Adam to Peter and you will find very few who displayed this growth pattern in their journey with God. I see the “greats of the faith” in scripture being broken many, many times – not just once, but over and over again in order for God’s transforming power and grace to work in them and break the chains of sin’s grip. Imagine if Jesus had cut off Peter when he made a major “U-turn” and denied Him the first, second or third of three times? Where would the church be if the disciples who “deserted him and fled” (Mark 14:50) weren’t given the opportunity to be restored and the work of life-transformation be allowed to continue in their individual lives? David is rebuked by Nathan in 2nd Samuel and told, “You are the man.” David is then restored by these beautiful words of life, “The Lord has taken away your sin.” David’s walk with God was not linear – it was full of valleys, shadows, twists, turns, and peaks. What makes me think I’m (or anyone else for that matter) any different?
I guess this is what God is teaching me:
1. Life transformation is often a long, grueling process. “In Christ, we are a new creation” – this is no doubt true, but sometimes the new creation part takes a while to see – especially when the bondage and temptation to sin continually causes people to trip and fall.
2. Jesus didn’t abandon anyone – even those who “deserted him and fled” or the one who publicly denied Him. I doubt that all the disciples returned – some may have run forever, I don’t know. Jesus welcomes the ones who return with open arms, even Peter. Jesus died on the cross next to two other criminals. One turned to Him for salvation, the other denied Him to the grave, but the option to turn to Christ for salvation was available even to that last breath. God, help me never to give up on those You sent Your Son to die for!
3. Even at my best, I’m a wretch saved by the grace of God. I cannot transform myself into the man God wants me to be, it’s His work and it is being accomplished within me as I yield to Him. There have been points on my journey where I haven’t wanted Him to change me and He has respected my choice and I’ve reaped the consequences of that. What I know is this: others around me can’t force me to do what only Christ can do. I will be changed as I yield to the work of the Spirit. When I am continually broken before Him, He can work – when I live like a rebel, God respects my choice to not abide in Him.
4. I’m looking at those around me, especially those who have recently come to know Jesus for the first time, and I am recognizing that I need to be patient – Christ is. I need to be willing to be betrayed – Christ is. I need to be willing to be denied – Christ is. I need to be willing to be abandoned – Christ is. I need to be willing to offer grace – Christ is. I need to love – Christ does. I need to offer mercy…do I need to continue this vein of thought?
Am I off base here? If so, someone please tell me. I cannot save someone, Jesus can. I cannot transform someone, Jesus can. Discipleship is a process, one that I myself am engaged in, and I can invite others to join me, and learn and grow along the journey. Will there be “disappointments?” Certainly – but I will not allow being disappointed to derail me, devour me, or send me flying into a finger-pointing, judgmental mode that ultimately shuts off grace. God is not finished yet – not with me, and not with anyone else. After all, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 1 Peter 3:9
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