September 2007

08.23.2007

ne Parson’s Opinion

In the Christian world, unrealistic expectations abound. Here is one I find intriguing because of my profession:
The Ideal Pastor
“The perfect pastor is one who preaches exactly fifteen minutes but who shares with his people the wisdom of the ages. He condemns sin but never hurts anyone’s feelings. He works from 8 a.m. until midnight and is also the janitor. He makes $75 a week, wears good clothes, buys good books, drives a good car, and gives $30 a week to the church. He is 26 years old and has been preaching for 30 years. He is above all else, handsome. He has a burning desire to work with teenagers and spends all his time with older folks. He smiles all the time with a straight face, because he has a sense of humor that keeps him seriously dedicated to his work. He makes 25 calls each day on parish members, yet spends all his time evangelizing the unchurched and is always in his office if and when needed.”

This is an amusing piece! However, many of the unrealistic expectations I find being promoted in Christian circles are often hurtful to the cause of Christ and to individual Christians.

Here are some of the unrealistic expectations which I have noticed are out there: You can…
- Be a perfect Christian/mate/parent
- Go through life with no trials
- Avoid persecution as a Christian
- Be wealthy (God wants you to be - just have faith!)
- Never be sick if you are a person of faith
- Get away with not being a good employee

Here is the problem: These expectations are not true to life. For example, if we go along thinking we will not face trials (one of the unrealistic expectations), when a trial does come along we are deeply confused and hurt. We do not understand.

Here is the way life really is. On Sunday nights we are studying I Peter. Our good friend Peter teaches in I Peter 4:12: “Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” Pain is not unusual, so don’t be surprised!

Dear brother, dear sister, we do still live in a sinful, fallen world. Things will not be right until we get Home, or until Jesus returns.

Real Christianity does not play fantasy games. Real Christianity says there will be tough days, but the Lord is with you. He will enable you and work through those trials for good. This is the walk of faith. Living by faith is not a life of unrealistic expectations but of a very real expectation that the Lord Jesus will be with you to empower you, to lean on, to talk to even when you are sick or don’t have enough money to make it to the end of the month.

You think about that!

See you on the Lord’s Day,
Jim

Posted by arbc at 08:19 PM