Living Life by Design

A few years back I knew a young man who was on fire for the Lord. He volunteered to lead our churches youth group, and did a phenomenal job. All the teens loved and respected him. After a few months, he became distraught. He ended up resigning. A short time after resigning, I asked why he quit and he told me that he felt that he should have been paid for his efforts. I asked if he had approached the senior pastor or church board. He told me no and said the church should have recognized his efforts and offered to pay him without being asked.

The church, needing a youth pastor found someone and that individual asked for a small salary. The board granted the request. Upon hearing this, the previous youth pastor became furious, and he and his family left the church. Hurt over the situation, the family never joined another church. They eventually fell away from the Lord.

Sometimes, it seems that the Christian life is like facing a powerful enemy. It feels like an intense struggle in which powerful forces are attempting to push us back and break down our ranks. If we don’t stand firm, we fall on our backs and slide in the mud in the wrong direction. Jeremiah warned his people many times against backsliding (Jeremiah 2:19; 3:22; 5:6; 14:7; 15:6).

Whether the struggle we face is from physical force, or perceived wrongs, both are battles none the less. In either situation, we should never stand alone. We are part of a community. In 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Paul tells his people to stand shoulder to shoulder, and for us (as a church) to ‘stand firm.’

Who do you know who needs your support today?