Peripatetics: The Art of Walking
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
When I had my first office at Crossroads, I wanted to communicate to parents that I was competent as a pastor...not just a "youth pastor." I really wanted to be viewed as a "pastor" who happened to specialize in teenagers rather than a "youth pastor." And, I felt like it might help people who came to my office feel at ease if I had my qualifications framed so they could be seen.
There's my framed undergraduate degree from Auburn University.
There's my framed certificate from Youth For Christ completing their year of training, which is very meaningful to me due to their storied history of influential staff.
There's my framed degree from seminary, complete with the "honors" sticker.
There's my framed certificate from my ordination.
In fact, when we moved into our new building and I put them up in my new office, I started thinking about my "pedigree":
I was discipled by an excellent youth pastor who I gleaned a lot of the way I work simply from imitating him.
I had a well-rounded high school experience that helps me relate to my current students, not matter what their interests.
I went to a good Bible-teaching church that really helped me out spiritually at an important juncture in my life.
When I was at college, I was challenged by another guy who chose to disciple me.
I was involved in an excellent small group of guys who sharpened each other for three years.
I was trained at Youth for Christ, who gave me all sorts of chances to grow personally, professionally & spiritually.
I got training at one of, in my opinion, the best seminaries in the world.
I got ordained at one of, in my opinion, best Bible-teaching churches on the planet.
My time of reflection was cut short when one of my colleagues asked me if I was enjoying staring at my "I LOVE ME" wall...I still think of that and laugh.
I laugh because I really don't take myself that seriously...because I know what Paul said about those types of things.
And here's why he said them:
The apostle Paul had all the "right" qualifications to walk with Christ as a member of the nation of Israel, and detailed them in Philippians 3: 4--8.
He even said he had a reason to have confidence in the flesh, and then supports his point. He was circumcised on the 8th day. He was a member of the nation of Israel. He was from the tribe of Benjamin. He was an example of what a Pharisee should be, trained in the best seminary they had. There were none more zealous. He even said he was blameless before the Law.
He had it all. He had a serious "I LOVE ME" wall.
And then he says this:
"But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them rubbish in order that I may gain Christ."
All his pedigree.
All his life he'd worked for success, and he'd achieved it beyond what most people dream about.
He was practically at the top of his field in a very impressive field.
And, in his brain. It's a loss.
Rubbish.
He gave it all up for Christ.
More than that, nothing mattered compared to one thing:
KNOWING JESUS CHRIST.
And he'd do it all again in order to gain Christ.
Christ was his everything.
So, for today, think about everything you've worked for thus far, and everything you're working for for tomorrow. How would your life change if you adopted the same approach Paul did: That, compared to your relationship with Christ, it's all rubbish?
It's easy to say, but the first element of walking by the Spirit is KNOWING CHRIST above everything else...is this true of us? Why or why not?
Brent 10:32 PM
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