30 April 2008
What a let down
Jesus disappointed people.
Does that surprise you?
I’m not talking about the obvious, as in the religious leaders, Pharisees, Saducees, Zealots, etc. I’m talking about His own followers. To me that’s just mind bending. No one has ever done more for others, been more servant minded and shown more love and mercy than Jesus Christ.
No one. Period.
Yet those who followed Him were like human blackholes—sucking up everything they could get from Him and seldom giving back. Now I could show you example after example of this happening. It could be a hundred and eleven part blog series, but people’s disappointment and selfishness toward God will have to wait for another post. My focus this time is what Jesus did about it. And what He did, I’m ashamed to admit, I almost never do…
until now.
First what I did (and still do sometimes). Whenever I get wind that I’ve fallen short of someone’s expectations there is an immediate urge within me to “fix it.” Usually the disappointment entails not being there for every big or little event. So I redouble my efforts. Usually it comes down to leaving Michelle (my awesome wife) and the kids to go somewhere by themselves, finish the movie alone while I drive off, eat the rest of the special dinner while I pace the front yard on the phone, pray by themselves because I had an ‘emergency meeting.’
See a pattern here?
And the larger the church gets, the greater the expectations. And the harder I try to meet them. But a few years ago (thankfully) this all began to change and every now and again the Lord reminds me that it was something that needed to change. I can’t be there for everyone every time.
During His earthly ministry even Jesus disappointed people.
It has a little something to do with letting go of something good in order to do something else.
Something that is best.
Tune in tomorrow and I’ll prove it.
7 Comments currently posted.
russ says:
Donna Kanipe says:
Pastor Rob,
My heart is stirred up with very mixed emotions as I think of the Pastor’s that have given me new life and left an eternal impression on my life. Above all, I am thankful! As a child I did not have the privilage of a Christian home, but that never stopped God. He marked me as his and filled my path with Pastors and Teachers who saw my potential. Secondly, I am disappointed. Congregations unknowingly chew Pastors up. We put Pastors on a pedistal that we could never achieve. We expect them to be perfect and never to have a bad day. We expect their children and wife to be the model of perfection. We expect them to be available for any need we have personally. We criticize the message…
If you are a believer in Christ, you are God’s embassador….God’s Pastor on earth. Yes, some are paid staff and some are non-paid staff. My encouragement is for all of us non-paid staff to readjust our expectations and recognize the humanity of all people, including ourselves, and hold our paid staff to the expectation level we have for our selves. Let’s make it our goal to encourage our Pastors who give us so much! Let’s make Southbrook the most encouraging church in Charlotte, one non-paid Pastor at a time 
Christine says:
Great post today Rob. I think that alot of us struggle with this. Wether it is family, friends, bosses…. whatever. Many times we just try to please, and don’t realize what we are giving up to do this. Looking forward to the next post.
Kristi says:
Rob,
At the Willowcreek Children’s Ministry Conference I just had the opportunity to attend they asked a thought-provoking question: Is what you’re doing FOR Him becoming more important than your relationship WITH Him? I have to say , that question really made me stop and think. Are my priorities lining up with His? Is my faith vibrant and growing, are my family relationships strong and healthy, is my passion overflowing from a heart that is in tune with God? I’m sure as Pastor at our incredible, expanding church you are faced daily with lining up your priorities with God’s. I just want you to know that I am committed to praying more diligently for you and your sweet family!
Jay Foreman says:
Rob. Any time I walk into Southbrook if you are not there I miss you. This is after all the house you built. We are the people you.ve shepheard, the lives you.ve directed towards Jesus and His open arms.
Yes we’d all love to have personal time with you listening to us barf up all the junk inside us awaiting you’re answers to solve our problems, prayer to heal our transgressions, you’re gentle guidance.
The fact is… Southbrook has become a place where The Shepherd is available to us all the time.
Last night was a perfect example. Communion night. Our shepherd was Pastor Geoffrey and he hit it out of the park. We sang, prayed, barfed up our junk and he gently guided us to getting refilled with the Holy Spirit. It was as though you were there with us, because you have raised Geoffrey well as a Pastor. He truly loves Jesus with everything he has in him.
There are many Pastors and ministers here at Southbrook who continue in your footsteps when you’re not there, guided by His Word.
God will say to you ‘Well done my faithful servant.’
Suzanne Eller says:
This is a great, honest post. I watch my own pastor, who works a lot of hours and yet still sometimes hears the “why weren’t you there?” comment. It’s such a balancing act, not just on the pastor’s part for his family and ministry, but for church members who must realize the ratio of 1,000 members to 1 pastor in many cases.
I’m reading a good book called “Who Stole My Church?” by Gordon McDonald. I think every pastor, and every believer (especially those who belong to and care about their church) should read it. It is an honest, inviting look at what church really means, and how we can all change to make it more effective.
Suzie Eller, author and blog fan
robsingleton.net » What a let down — Part 2 says:
[...] yesterday’s post in order to confirm that I am not ADD here. You can find it below or simply click here and it will take you directly to [...]
During His earthly ministry even Jesus disappointed people.
Yes, and for every person he healed, there were many more he did not. Still, he was who he said he was.
Russ:)