“I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands” (Ps. 1:1-2)“The transformation of a mind through the study of God’s Word cannot be accomplished via shortcuts.” – Glenn McDonald.
This past couple of days I had the privilege of sitting with many Christian Indian leaders. We were planning courses and curriculum for some Seminaries around the country. I felt truly humbled being with them, as most of them were pioneers in the mission field in India. One morning they gave me the task of holding devotion prior to breakfast. You want to talk about feeling inadequate to teach a group of men, then this was it.
As I thought about what to teach, I remembered a devotion I had done at Graystone Church while I was there for a leadership meeting. I felt this would fit appropriately for us, as it was a great challenge. I presented the devotion and ended with a couple of questions that I wanted to ask. I asked them if it is hard to live for Jesus, and what, in their opinion, is the hardest thing about living for Jesus in today’s world.
Often when questions like these are presented in devotions to leaders (whether secular work or ministry work) you expect a lot of the typical answers. They will say yes and give what I call some platitude answers. They are true, but they only give the basics. We will admit that it is hard to live for Christ and say the hardest thing is following His commands, or walking the walk all the time. Evangelizing is the hardest or reflecting Jesus to our families. These are great answers, but they are just “safe,” or “platitude” answers, because they keep others out of reach and it also keeps our walls up. It gives an answer, but dodges the truly personal.
While sitting and waiting for the group to answer, I expected the same answers. To my surprise they were extremely open and vulnerable with one another. They talked about not putting their wives first in their Christian walk, dealing with humility in their own life, about some personal struggles within their families. They said it was sinful and said they need to repent continually over these issues and asked us to pray for them. I was extremely humbled by the answers and it allowed me to be open as well. These are men who have lived up to 20 years in the ministry field, or are still in the field. Men who have lived each day waiting on God to deliver their meals sometimes, and would at times live off 2000 Rupees a month ($50 USD).
In my eyes they were true men of faith who have sacrificed the easy road for the sake of Christ. You can see how God has blessed them and how their faith has been used to bring many to Christ in India. Again they were teaching me and the other Americans there about vulnerability and openness with other men of faith. They truly longed to walk closer with Jesus and to develop a deeper relationship.
I was thankful to be part of it and grew from their openness in their lives. We are all struggling with issues in our walk with Christ and we need to be able to open up with other believers, knowing they will pray for us and not be afraid of what others think. They were not concerned about my opinion, but with what Jesus thought and wanted prayers so they could be closer in their relationship. They also know that as believers together we would not think less of them, but know we all struggle and need prayers.
It presents a great challenge for all of us as believers. Are you afraid to be open with other believers? Why? Do you care more about what they think or what Jesus thinks? Why are we so worried? Maybe they will tell others. And? If we are truly walking with Christ we should not be worried about it. If there is something you are so afraid of sharing with other believers, then you truly need to work on that sin and even more so need to find help in overcoming it through your pastor or Christian counselor. Even then, you would probably help many by sharing your struggles, especially if you are a leader. People need to know that everyone struggles, as we all fall short of perfection.
The only way to truly overcome is by knowing the truth as Christ says in John 8:31-32, “ ‘If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” We have to be in the Bible, and truly long to follow the commands it tells us, as that is the only way to overcome. We have to long to follow what Christ says about overcoming sin and developing a deeper relationship with Him.
What is the hardest part of following Jesus for you? Have you shared that with other believers so they can pray for you? If not, why not?
Can you say like Jeremiah did in 15:16, “Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.”
“The further we move ahead as disciples, the more we discover that God speaks to us through the same text of Scripture in ever deepening ways.” – Glenn McDonald
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