One of the truths I have based my life on is the immortal words of Harry Callahan “A man’s got to know his limitations”. Now for my younger readers you should be able to Google Harry and learn all about this statesman (ha ha). For the rest of us we should know that regardless of the source these words are true. While God is limitless and nothing is impossible for me while being used by Him, on my own I have some serious limitations.
While some might say I am totally useless, it seems to me that God has blessed me with a very broad set of talents, skills, and knowledge. These have served me well while following His direction in both ministry and secular jobs. However, I have come to learn that even if I can do something, the task might be better served if turned over to a professional.
I remember the first time I decided that the auto mechanic’s prices seemed too high and I knew I could do the job myself. So I got busy on a Saturday morning ready to save $150 dollars. As most men can, I got everything disassembled fairly easy but all of a sudden I discovered that I needed a special tool. I called all my friends and no one had it. It was also clear to me that the reason no one had it was that after buying it I would probably never use it again the rest of my life but I was committed now. I was able to get a buddy to come by and give me a ride to purchase the new tool and then back to work to now save $100.
I worked late into the night Saturday and then again Sunday afternoon and evening. This project that the Professional had priced at 2.5 hours labor kept me busy for nearly sixteen hours! As is normal for me I began to do the math. You see I had the money to pay the mechanic but I thought his price was unreasonable. In addition, I could have worked at my job where I was the professional that Saturday and made enough to pay the mechanic and put the $100 I was trying to save in my pocket. Clearly it would have been more profitable for me to let the Professional handle this project!
I learned a valuable lesson that weekend. I never again took someone’s expertise for granted and unless financially impossible, since then I have always sought a professionals help.
Recently I have reevaluated my thinking on some professionals. It appears that in some areas the professionals are actually doing damage. Could it be that some areas of our society are better off left to amateurs?
I believe most Americans have now recognized that Professional, Career Politicians no longer serve the best interest of our nation. I realize that this statement is a generalization and I do believe that there are people that still love this country involved in politics. However, we (the voters and non voters) have given the power to those that are self seeking and so far we haven’t been able to formulate a strategy to take it back.
Some enter the world of politics solely seeking power. They long to move and shape our society for their glory and benefit. Serving our nation and their constituents was never really their goal. These men and women learn to mask their motives through the use of marketing tools designed to persuade the masses and we continue today to fall victim to these tactics.
Others enter politics desiring to make the world a better place but it seems they are trying to create a heaven without involving God. They believe that they can pass a law ordering the lion to lay down with the lamb. Then they follow up with debates about why the lion ate the lamb and what can be done to prevent this anti-social behavior in the future.
All in all it seems that the single most important political goal is re-election. After all they can’t help us if they are not re-elected so they compromise and do whatever is necessary to stay in office, convincing themselves that the good they might accomplish will out weigh the bad required to be re-elected. It never does! Compromise breeds more compromise and bad works never produce a good result.
The second group of professionals that I now find myself trying to avoid is Pastors. Wait a minute all you long time Pastor Bashers back off! This is not your bandwagon. I Love Pastors! My Father is a Pastor, and some have even bestowed that title upon me on occasion. My problem is not with the Chosen of God but with those that choose for themselves to pastor, or as with the politicians, become corrupt along the way.
When I was a boy (once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away) no one in their right mind would choose to become a Pastor. Pastoring virtually assured that you would live a life of poverty giving your efforts to support people in need and receive little appreciation for your sacrifice. A pastor’s only hope of reward would have to wait until his or her arrival in Heaven. Only the truly called of God became Pastors and stuck with it.
I remember the first time I heard someone refer to a person in their family going into the ministry as if it were a career choice. Having been raised in the church it was clear to me that this person knew nothing about ministry or being called of God and I couldn’t help wonder about the family member in question. However over the years while watching as the church matured and learned that blessing their Pastor financially had the effect of blessing the church and them as well, I noticed that it seems Pastors have changed. Men and women called to a local body to do great things were somehow being called away when a church that could offer a better pay package became available. Likewise God himself couldn’t drag some pastors away from a church with a good pay package even when it has become obvious to everyone that the Pastor’s ministry was completed, or compromised and no longer effective. Unfortunately, God takes the blame for all these Pastoral decisions.
Our youth over the past ten years have taken the main impact from all this professional pastoring. It seems no one is called to be a Youth Pastor anymore. This position is merely a stepping stone on the way to a bigger paycheck as a Senior Pastor. Our youth have recognized this lack of care and leadership and are now leaving the church in record numbers.
Politicians and Pastors your life is one of servitude and should never be a path to nobility, celebrity or wealth. We as citizens and church members have allowed this corruption to become epidemic and it will only be stopped when we refuse to follow the corrupt. Our nation will collapse and the church will not be able to take its place as the Bride of Christ unless we change our course.
Who are you following?
