Readings for today: 2 Corinthians 5-9
I recently received a great compliment. A person in my church family shared with me that one of the things they appreciated most about my leadership was my authenticity. I don’t hide my flaws. I don’t pretend I don’t struggle. I talk openly and honestly about my pain and heartbreaks. I allow myself to be known not just as a pastor but as a person. An ordinary guy trying to follow Jesus to the best of my ability. Interestingly enough, I was taught the opposite in my seminary training. I was taught to maintain professional distance. I was taught to keep the people I serve at arm’s length. I was taught to not let them in lest I lose my ability to be their pastor. Thankfully, I knew even then that it was terrible advice. Well-meaning to be sure. I understood the point my professors were trying to make. They had my best in mind. But the model they were following simply isn’t biblical. It’s certainly not how Jesus led or the Apostle Paul. Listen again to Paul’s heart as he shares with the Christians in Corinth…
“Instead, as God’s ministers, we commend ourselves in everything: by great endurance, by afflictions, by hardships, by difficulties, by beatings, by imprisonments, by riots, by labors, by sleepless nights, by times of hunger, by purity, by knowledge, by patience, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God; through weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, through glory and dishonor, through slander and good report; regarded as deceivers, yet true; as unknown, yet recognized; as dying, yet see we live; as being disciplined, yet not killed; as grieving, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet enriching many; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.” (2 Corinthians 6:4-10 CSB) Clearly, Paul had done life with these people. He had experienced a lot of ups and downs alongside them and didn’t pretend otherwise. He didn’t keep them at arm’s length and didn’t seem concerned about professional distance. He understood his life was a demonstration of the gospel in action and he wanted them to witness it up close and personal.
What gave Paul the strength to be so vulnerable? It was his confidence in God. He walked by faith and not by sight. This world had nothing for him. The esteem of the world was not attractive to him. He longed to be with the Lord so whatever happened to him this side of heaven simply didn’t matter all that much. He could be rich or poor. He could be strong or weak. He could be successful or a failure. he could be honored or dishonored. He could be understood or misunderstood. He could endure all kinds of hardships and sufferings. All that mattered was that Christ was glorified by his life, by his death, and everything in between. What about you? Do you feel the freedom to be truly known? To be truly yourself, warts and all? Do you feel the pressure to perform? Put on a mask? Never let those around you see you sweat? Let go of the need to be perfect. Let go of the need to be perceived as something or someone. Let go of the need for recognition or affirmation or influence. Place your hope in God alone.
Readings for tomorrow: 2 Corinthians 10-13