When you’re alone with the Word of God, you probably have less peace than you’re willing to publicly admit.

You’re fine at church, attending conferences, or spending time with churchgoers. But when you’re studying God’s Word by yourself, a sick feeling creeps into your stomach. How can you reconcile Jesus’ teachings with what you see in the Church?

Start with yourself

Most of us know we can’t say with the Apostle Paul, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1 TNIV) Rather than pursuing the Spirit-filled example we could be, we hide behind churchy statements like, “I’m just a man” or, “I’m not perfect, just forgiven.” That will satisfy most, but you know deep down that you’re not “just” a man or woman. You’re a temple of the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you.

It’s like buying a racecar and only using it to drive to the market at 30 mph. Not only would you be wasting horsepower, but the guy who built the car would go crazy if he knew what you were doing. Similarly, I wonder how our Creator feels seeing His Spirit-filled temples living so normally. Were you created to sit in an office, have meetings, and answer e-mails all day? You know there’s more to what God has called you to. It’s time to take a step of faith.

Pray for the supernatural

Honestly, a nonbeliever can accomplish a lot of what you’re doing. Pray that God would lead you into tasks that can only be done by the power of the Spirit. Pray for results that can’t be explained humanly. Ask Him to do what only He can do through you. Pray in faith (James 1:6) and stop looking at the men of Scripture as unattainable superheroes. “Elijah was a human being, even as we are.” (James 5:17)

Pursue unexplainable holiness

We don’t need leaders who put themselves on a pedestal and pretend they don’t struggle. Nor do we need leaders who say, “I struggle with sin just like you.” The Church is dying for leaders who admit failure but supernaturally “put to death the misdeeds of the flesh.” (Romans 8:13) They’re looking for “an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12) Don’t hide behind phrases like, “We all sin.” Use the tremendous power you’ve been given to live a holy life.

Serve diligently

We live in a time when Christian leaders are encouraged to be lazy. I’m constantly told to “take more family time.” In our zeal to protect the family, we may have idolized it. While there are still exceptions and pastors who work too much and ignore family, the pendulum has swung the other way. Now we have students graduating from Bible college and seminary expecting “the going rate” and more “family time.” Many of you know you ought to work more diligently and with greater excellence. Don’t give in to the whining you hear. There’s tremendous peace when we work as fervently as we ought (1 Thessalonians 2:9).

Give dangerously

Don’t be afraid to give extravagantly to those in need. While Christian leaders complain about their salaries, be one who is “content” regardless of a financial situation (Philippians 4:11-12).

Love the needy as much as yourself. See them as Christ and joyfully give. Let’s face it: It’s pretty hard to starve to death in America. Don’t be like many other American churchgoers who are more concerned about their standard of living than anyone else’s. Set the example in loving the less fortunate.

Seek His approval

Some of us are bold while standing in front of a crowd yet act like cowards when talking to individuals. We have enough socially awkward religious leaders who have no idea how to have conversations and develop friendships with nonbelievers—the world needs a new generation of leaders who can “become like the Jews to win the Jews.” (1 Corinthians 9:20)

Maybe your challenge is a lack of boldness when you’re in front of the church. I go through phases when I have an unhealthy desire for crowds, so I’ll often think about God’s presence in the room as I teach. This reminds me to seek His approval rather than others’. It’s amazing how bold we can be when we’re aware of God’s presence. It reminds me of Stephen who, “full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:55) Seeing Jesus gave him courage to stand peacefully as he was stoned to death. We are prone to do amazing things when we acknowledge His presence.

May peace motivate you

My desire is to direct you toward peace. I encourage you to take a leap of faith so you can experience it again. We waste time on things that don’t make sense in light of Scripture and eternity—many of you know it’s time for a change. I pray you have the faith to jump.

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It was a bright, sunny, fall day in Knoxville, TN in 1992 that I stood staring out the window of my doctor’s office at the clear, blue sky and the sloping mountains in the distance, trying to take in what was the worse, most frightening news I thought I could ever hear.   My doctor had just confirmed what was suspected to be a malignant tumor in my colon.  Cancer, I thought.  How could this be happening after all I had just been through with the auto accident where I was nearly killed?  I had survived the accident with residual physical damages to my body, along with the pain and agony of post traumatic stress disorder, but I thought I was really beginning to get back on my feet, now this!  How in the world would I ever be able to tell my children their mother had cancer?  Just the word cancer is frightening… downright scary in fact.

My story has a happy ending though.  The initial shock took some time getting used to, but what is so amazing is that I immediately turned to the Chief Architect of my being.  After all, He had kept me around for some reason.  So I knew that He had not brought me this far to leave me now.  During my many conversations with God, I learned what total submission truly means.  I also learned that some degree of suffering reaps great rewards that bring us to a place where God can truly use us.  You see, I thought that God and I had it “going on,” so to speak, and we did.  All of my life I had been active in church and spiritual in my approach to life in general.  But apparently I was just not quite where He needed me to be. 

 GETTING OVER THE INITIAL SHOCK...

Paul and Peter’s letters to the churches refer to “diverse” circumstances as tests and trials.  So I began to look at my life and my purpose differently.  Through various trials and tests I am now able to “joyfully” see that something good comes from what we consider bad experiences.  I have become more useful to God as an instrument through which I can comfort others and help them move to a “higher level” of usefulness in advancing God’s Kingdom on earth.  I think this is what my cousin has in mind in challenging us to “upgrade our belief systems to a higher level.”  Real suffering leads to total submission (total helplessness, dependent on no one but God) in order to receive all the benefits of God’s love, grace and mercy.  We persevere through trials and sufferings with the knowledge that the purpose is to advance God’s plan for His people.  These are the “thoughts that God has for us.”  When we look at it from this angle we emerge with a strength that cannot be measured.  ^“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”  1 Peter 4:12-13  Think on these things. 

Be eternally blessed as you strengthen your focus on totally submitting yourself to God and the plans He has for you.  Always know that I love you very much.  Please continue to remember the bereaved and families in crisis, our nation and leaders and world peace in your prayers.  abp

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