June 13 devotion - Burden Sharers

Exodus 18:17-18 Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone.” (NIV)

            Churches are volunteer organizations as well as faith worship centers. For congregations to exist, they need people in the pews to volunteer to help with the many projects and programs that each church presents. They also require spiritual leaders who are willing to give their time, talents, and prayers to the well-being of the whole congregation. Without such volunteers, churches are unable to minister to both the congregation and community; without the willing help of individuals, churches become ineffective and diminish.

            In today’s Old Testament passage (Exodus 18:13-27), Moses is experiencing burn-out by making himself available to all the people on a daily basis. He wants to help each and every one of them, but there are too many disputes, issues, and concerns for one man to handle. We should also remember that Moses was eighty years old, so his energy and enthusiasm were both limited by what he could physically manage each day.

            The solution to Moses’ dilemma comes through the words of wisdom that his father-in-law Jethro expresses. Moses has to learn to delegate more of his community responsibilities in order to be really effective. Without the help of others, Moses is doomed to fail because he will be unable to deal with all of the problems and divisions of his people. So, Moses takes Jethro’s sound advice and sets up district elders to deal with the people’s issues. The burden is shared and the responsibilities are widened. The end result is a far more effective system than a one-man-band. Moses can concentrate on all of the main issues affecting the whole community; the elders can lead the people as specialists among their own groups.

            As Presbyterians, we continue this ministry through the practice of appointing elders to our congregations. People are called and chosen by God to give three years’ service to the local church in order to both sustain and advance its life and mission. Those who are asked to serve are sought because of their commitment to the church; their acceptance of such a sacred call is a beautiful act of faith and one which should bless their congregations. Eldership, then, is a direct calling from God to share the burdens of the people, plan the future ahead, and strengthen the faith, ministry, and purpose of the local church. Without these precious volunteers, a church can lose ground; with dedicated elders, a church can blossom and grow.

Point to ponder

Have I been asked to become an elder? Why was God asking for me?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we seek to serve You faithfully with our time, talents, and resources to enable Your Church to flourish locally, nationally, and internationally. Prepare our hearts and minds to prayerfully consider a call to leadership and eldership in our congregations. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the Scottish pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read the church website at www.erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest bulletin drawings for Trinity Sunday. The design is based on the banners in our sanctuary. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Trinity.

May 18 devotion - Puzzled by Paul

Ephesians 4:30            And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 

            Whenever I read today’s chosen verse, I often wonder what it truly means. I find it hard to picture Christians grieving the Holy Spirit, so it perplexes me that Paul wrote this as an important lesson, yet I fail to understand it. In my experience, grieving entails suffering, separation, sadness, and loss. Does this mean that Paul is teaching that we can lose the Holy Spirit in our faithful lives? That would be a terrible calamity for any person. That would mean eternal separation from God.

            So I wrestle and struggle with the text, especially in times when my faith is weak and my commitment to Christ is diminished. It makes me fearful of stepping toward the edge of a spiritual abyss, from which I may not be able to clamber out. The whole context of the verse is the fuller passage where Paul is writing about behavior. His teaching makes me question my own sinful behavior and honestly have to ask myself if I’ve wandered from the path that I’m meant to be on.

            And then, in the middle of my struggle, I am reminded of Christ’s grace by the Holy Spirit. I may feel awkward and ashamed about my behavior. I may have been selfish and sinful in recent days. I may have allowed myself to be distracted by other things which have distanced me from God. I may have done a hundred things which disappoint God, sadden Christ, and offend the Holy Spirit, but I am not forsaken or abandoned, forgotten or cast aside. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit continually redeem me, reclaim me, and restore me to the Kingdom and favor of my Heavenly Father.

            Perhaps you are also struggling with commitment and sin. It may be that you’ve fallen away for a while and taken a wrong turn. It could be that you feel as if you’ve let down God and disappointed Jesus. If so, then please know this: Christ’s grace is sufficient to forgive you, love you, and restore you, too.

Questions for personal reflection

What is currently troubling me in my life? How has it affected my faith? Am I willing to come to God with it in prayer? Am I ready to seek Christ’s forgiveness and grace?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, being human is really difficult at times, especially when we try to be more faithful, attentive, and devoted to You. Forgive our faults and failures. Allow us to restart our lives. Grant us Your mercy and grace, so that we may be restored to God’s love and majesty. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest Pentecost drawings of the Holy Spirit as a dove descending to the Earth. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Dove.