As a pastor who is less than half the age of some of my congregants I often grapple with this question. As you probably know the Bible lays out a certain list of qualifications that elders (pastors) should meet, and I hope and pray that I comply with these standards, but above and beyond that, what qualifies me to be a pastor? What qualifies me to do anything to help anyone else? I have a limited education, limited life experience, and limited knowledge. I am a fellow struggler. I battle with things like self-centeredness, anger, jealousy, doubt, discouragement, and on and on. Even when I do good things I wonder if my motives are pure, and when I gain victory in a certain area of my life I struggle with pride. In short I am every bit as human as anyone who takes the time to read this blog or, for that matter, anyone in the world. So why do I think I can help you? Why do I think I can help anyone?
The short answer is that I can’t. So what does Jeremy have to offer – nothing. In and of myself I would be a worthless minion struggling for significance in a world full of individuals doing the same. I am not attempting to be the go to man that has all the answers. All I have to offer is what has been given me.
As a young man I was a guilt-ridden, fearful, obsessive, introvert, drowning in a life of self-centered fantasy. Although I still have my share of problems – as my wife well knows – God has done a work in my heart. Through numerous counseling experiences and just through walking with Him, I have come to a place of hope. Don’t get me wrong, life is difficult and at times just down right bleak, but I can face the tough times with Someone at my side – a God who cares about the minutest details of my life. I also know that there is a purpose for my life that transcends my frivolous troubles. My purpose in this life is to glorify the risen Christ and live for His renown. If my suffering can accomplish this then thankyou Jesus. So what do I do when dreams shatter and life goes all wrong. I’ll tell you what I try to do. I look to the Healer, and I endeavor to remember that life is not just about me - it’s about Him.
I remember seeing a picture, probably in a child’s Bible story book, of the children of Israel approaching the cross that Moses had erected bearing the bronze serpent. For anyone who is not familiar with this fascinating story, the serpent had been put there as an antidote for the punishment to the children of Israel because of their blatant disregard for the commandments of God. They had rebelled against Him and He sent poisonous snakes to punish them. When the Israelites cries for mercy, God instructed Moses to put up a cross with a bronze serpent perched on it. Anyone who looked at the cross was healed from the deadly snake venom. In this particular picture it showed the children of Israel pressing toward the cross longing to see and be healed. Some were so near death that they had to be carried by a family member who would hold their heads up and point it toward the cross so they could see and be healed.
That cross was symbolic of another that would be erected thousands of years later. When we look to this cross we too can be healed from the venomous effects of sin. All I have to offer is the simple action of pointing you to the cross. I want the little girl whose mother has abandoned her to see it. I want the wife whose husband is beating her to see it. I want the little boy whose father pays him no attention to see it. I want the man who has lost his job and can’t provide for his family to see it. I want every person in every state of hurt to know that God is a God of love and healing and He longs to reach down into your point of deepest pain and administer His grace, mercy, and forgiveness; that same grace, mercy, and forgiveness that was purchased by the horrific death of His Son. He gave His life so we could be made whole. As the Old Testament prophet puts it in such a heartrendingly beautiful way “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” Is. 53:5 (NIV)
