Well, it's Tuesday again, and amid the flurry of "planned" activities that I simply "must" get done today, I have been keenly aware of (and at times almost overwhelmed by) the number of "unplanned" things likely awaiting me. In the life of a pastor these can range from funerals, to family crises, to people in need of a ride. On a more personal level, you just never know when the school is going to call, the doctor's appointment you've been waiting for is suddenly available, or your spouse just needs some time with you.
You might guess that one of the potential perils of being a pastor is the tendency to not always DO what you're so good at PREACHING about. For instance: Our church just finished a series entitled, "Here On Purpose." Now, I'll not take the time today to lay it all out for you here, but suffice it to say, it challenged us each to take a good hard look at Why we do What we do. The simple fact is that if our Why is wrong, it won't make a whole lot of difference What we do - we'll always end up a bit frustrated (and that could easily be an understatement).
For some things, the Why is very clear for me - other things, not so. Most of the time, ministry "stuff" falls into the former (I want people to find hope, peace and joy in Jesus Christ)and the balance of my life falls into the latter (because I have to do it). But recently, I was challenged as I read through the Gospel of John again (it's amazing what's in the Word of God if you just keep looking...try it!). In Chapter 4, verse 27, the disciples have returned from town to find that Jesus is engaged in a conversation that is definitely not run-of-the-mill. A woman (absolutely taboo in that culture)...a Samaritan woman (you could get excommunicated - or something like it - for this) is having the interaction of a lifetime with Jesus - seriously!
I think it's safe to say that the disciples were a bit shocked to see What Jesus was doing, but what jumped off the page to me is that none of them were shocked a bit at Why He was doing it (take a look for yourself). Believing and having discovered that all of the Bible is recorded for a reason, I found myself pondering for a moment its Why...and then it hit me. The disciples didn't ask Why because they knew Why...it was the same Why Jesus always had...to bring hope, peace and joy to her (the Why I only sometimes have).
Note: this was not a "ministry" setting - it was at a well in a foreign country during a conversation with someone most of us would normally avoid if given the chance. It wasn't in a church, or on a Sunday or during a class of some sort (though there was much being learned and taught). It was by all measures a rather ordinary day with an average person who was engaged in a routine and probably mundane task. But Jesus' Why was rock-solid...as always.
Now, if I'm going to call myself a "Christian" (which means "Christ-like one") I better pay attention to this. Because to be a "Christ-like one" I need to endeavor to have my Why straight in every situation, not just the "ministry" ones. That means during the planned events of my life and the unplanned. I need to take it up a level and better DO what I PREACH. Without question, I am "Here On Purpose" (so are you)...and that purpose is to be a "Christ-like one" all the time. What do you think? I'd love to hear your perspective and thoughts!
