It all counts

I hadn’t gone home that particular Sunday afternoon. There had been some event that had lasted so long that it made the journey home and back again for the evening service rather pointless.

So at some point in the afternoon I took a walk to McDonald’s for a coffee. You can see that my tastes are very refined.

As I was on my way back, fully armed with a latte, my eye caught sight of something that looked like a set of goal posts. They were situated on a piece of what looked like waste ground on the corner of two roads. The site was shielded by sheets of corrugated iron at one side and by huge advertising hoardings on the other.

I was too intrigued to walk by without attempting a closer look. Sure enough, behind the screening was an old, dilapidated football pitch. The pitch itself was slightly raised, with steps up to it. Apart from the decaying goal posts, the site was all but derelict, a relic to the time before virtual reality games and cable television.

As I walked away, I looked up at the advertising hoardings. Of all the things, they happened to be advertising football on television, under the slogan “Every Goal Counts”. Somehow it seemed deeply ironic that a football pitch that had all the hallmarks of years of neglect should be used as a platform to advertise the apparent importance of the beautiful game.

What the advertising slogan really meant was “Every goal scored by a player in a top league that is covered on television and funded by hundreds of millions of pounds counts”. In other words, it’s the big stage that matters.

When it comes to the mission of the church, we can be fooled by the notion that it is only what happens on the big stage that matters. It is only what the super gifted, the ministry equivalent of premier league players, do that counts. That is simply untrue.

Of course, God does raise up people who bring vision and direction and instruction. The church, both today and throughout its history, has been blessed by such people. However, what really makes the difference where you and I are, is what we do. What we pray. What we say. Churches that give themselves to consistent outreach where they are, are every bit as crucial to the mission of God as churches that are famous throughout the Christian world.

One of the letters to the seven churches was a letter to the church in Philadelphia. The church in Philadelphia had “little strength” but it had been faithful (Revelation 2.8). Yet it is to this church that the Lord promises an open door (v.8), a turn around of their enemies (v.9) and protection during a time of trial for the world (v.10).

Faithfully serving God on the stage of everyday life is right at the heart of the Christian faith. Keeping going, whether we feel what we are doing is significant or not, is of great importance because all our service is significant. It all counts.

Coming back to my Sunday afternoon experience at an abandoned football ground, I couldn’t help but wonder how long football could prosper in more wealthy surroundings without prospering at street corners. Who knows? One thing is certain though, the progress of the mission of the church relies every bit as much on it flourishing at the street corner as on the big stage.

It’s powerful, it works – but it’s not that prevalent

Business and leadership thinkers attribute the term and the concept of servant leadership to Robert K. Greenleaf. Some of the more historically informed will point out that Lao Tzu, a Chinese philosopher of the 7th century B.C., was espousing similar principles in his day.

There is no doubting the esteem in which leadership thinkers hold the concept of servant leadership. They recognise that it is an incredibly powerful approach to leadership and the positive effect it has on those who come under its influence. However, as an article in Forbes magazine pointed out, powerful though it is, it is not that prevalent.

Anyone who has read the Bible will realise that the concept of servant leadership predates Robert Greenleaf and Lao Tzu. We find the God – yes, the much maligned God of the Old Testament – revealing Himself as Israel’s helper, a term that was used first of all to describe the kind of companion God sought for Adam. In fact in those early chapters of Genesis we see God revealing Himself as a servant leader in the way He sets Adam and Eve up for success and progress in the Garden of Eden. In short, He uses His unlimited power to empower them.

Little wonder, therefore, that when the Son of God becomes son of man He describes Himself in terms of a servant. What is unusual, even breathtaking, is the extent to which He emphasises His servant like nature, both in words and in actions. And, in case anyone was in any doubt, just before His crucifixion, He took a towel and basin of water and performed the ultimate menial task, namely washing His disciples’ feet. He did not do this simply to impress His disciples with His humility, He did it, the Bible explains, firstly to show them the full extent of His love and secondly to provide an example of how they should relate to each other. He provides His followers with a towel instead of a title.

So why is it that servant leadership is not that prevalent? Why is it that even in the church the servant hearted spirit of Christ’s followers is sometimes not that much in evidence? How can we become effective servants of both the Lord and each other?

Firstly, servant leadership and serving in general is counterintuitive. The world system, whatever culture you look at, seldom if ever, equates influence with the kind of virtues associated with servanthood. Can you imagine any prospective prime minister or president being questioned about how they had developed patience or love or humility? It’s hard to imagine gentleness or kindness as qualities one would seek in future political leaders in any kind of political set up. Yet those qualities are exactly what we find in Jesus.

Secondly, servant leadership requires a deep level of security in who we are in Christ. John’s gospel explains in the verses before the description of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, that Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;  so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel round his waist (John 13.3-4). Jesus did not serve in spite of the fact that He was the Son of God, but because He was the Son of God. The more we discover who we are, the more serving should become a natural expression.

Thirdly, we need conviction about the impact of servanthood. Towels just don’t seem to make the same impression as titles!

One follower of Jesus who laid hold of the towel and served with distinction was Stephen, the first martyr in the Christian church. In Acts 6 he is chosen to help deliver bread to the church’s widows. His practical service opens doors for supernatural ministry and preaching the gospel. The impact of his service extends even into the manner of his death, as the future apostle Paul stands watching as Stephen lays down his life for Jesus. Serving has the power to change people’s worlds.

Finally, serving is simply a matter of following the example of Christ. Here’s what Jesus said after He’d washed His disciples’ feet:

I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life (John 13.15-17, The Message).

No other reason is needed. Jesus says do it. Do it – and live a blessed life.

Making Memories

The term making memories has come to be used as a kind of shorthand for expressing meaningful moments that will live with us for some time to come. Apparently it was originally used by Coca-Cola in an advertising campaign to convey the idea that the dark fizzy drink will make whatever you are doing meaningful and memorable, provided it has a part in the moment. At least, that’s what the Urban Dictionary says.

Whatever the truth or legend behind the association with Coca-Cola, as we grow older, good memories of good times become more important for us.

God has good memories as well. That might seem a very shallow thing to say. It is, however, true. God is sometimes presented to us as remembering certain people or certain things. He remembered Noah. He remembered His people Israel. It’s not as though God had forgotten about, say Noah, during the flood, and suddenly realised that He had left him and his family drifting across a waterlogged world. No, it is simply a way of reinforcing that God had not forgotten Noah and would act on His behalf.

Hebrews chapter 6 similarly speaks about a God who does not forget:

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them (Hebrews 6.10).

A big temptation and a big danger that we all face is a phenomenon Paul describes in Galatians 6 as growing weary in doing good (Galatians 6.9). Why might we get “fed up” with doing good? Because it can seem pointless. It can seem like our best efforts are making very little impact. Our concern is met with indifference.  Our kindness with ingratitude. Our love, ignored.

The Hebrews scripture reminds us that whatever the response of others to our doing good, God remembers our action. When we do good, we make a memory that we share with God. In truth, He remembers all of the love that we show to others. He remembers the good deeds we have forgotten. He remembers the good deeds that we weren’t even aware we were doing. And He remembers the good deeds that seemed of no consequence or were even rebuffed.

Let’s not grow tired of doing good. Even if no-one else sees or appreciates our action, we’ve made a memory that we share with God.

Let’s hear it for the corporals

Much of history and much of military history tends to revolve around the top brass army officers and naval commanders alongside the premiers and presidents of the day. They are usually the decision makers and what they determine affects the life of every soldier in the field.

Modern warfare, however, is a lot more complicated. Modern weapons and modern communications mean that the shape of the arena of conflict can change very rapidly. There is also a different expectation placed on soldiers in today’s world. The ability of the press to send battle footage back to the civilian world almost immediately means that the conduct of a campaign comes under more public scrutiny. Consequently, within the space of a few square miles a squad of soldiers can find themselves attacking the enemy, conducting a peacekeeping operation and distributing humanitarian aid.

An American general, Charles Krulak, talked about this in terms of a three block war and highlighted the importance of what he called the strategic corporal.

The rank of corporal is the lowest rank of non-commissioned officer, yet, Krulak acknowledged, on the ground the corporal is often making life and death decisions. The corporal is a key person in the successful conduct of modern warfare, but usually an unsung hero.

The early church was full of unsung heroes. We read about the leaders who might be considered generals in God’s Kingdom. Peter, Paul, John, James, Stephen, James the Lord’s brother, and so on. There is no doubt that these people played a pivotal role in the development of the early church. But there were a lot of other lesser known characters.

In Romans 16 Paul lists and commends people who have served with honour who are not that well known: Phoebe; Priscilla and Aquila; Mary; Andronicus and Junia; Ampliatus; Urbanus; Apelles; Tryphena and Tryphosa; Persis. If you turn to 1 Corinthians 16 you’ll find Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus.

Why did Paul commend them? In most cases simply because they worked hard. In some cases they risked their lives or just “stood the test”. They will never have tv documentaries dedicated to assessing their contribution to Western civilization. No-one will ever write a PhD on their theological genius. However, even though they might seem like a footnote in the progress of the Kingdom of God, they are in truth its foot soldiers, corporals, even.

There are loads of people in churches all over the world who are like those on the rolls of honour in Romans 16 and 1 Corinthians 16. They work hard. Serve faithfully. Lead small groups. Organise ministry. Make war against the devil. Keep peace amongst the saints. And distribute liberally the spiritual aid of encouragement and exhortation. They don’t complain. They aren’t looking for profile. They work hard at trying to balance family, church and a busy working life. Often they give when it seems they have nothing left to give. They are the kind of people the church is built on. The strategic corporals of God’s kingdom.

So celebrate them. Encourage them. Honour them. Let’s hear it for the corporals.

It’s all about the music

A few months ago one of the national newspapers, in its online edition, carried an article entitled “How to spot a Stradivarius”. You were then able to click three different recordings of the same piece of music. One was played on a Stradivarius, one on an expensive 19th century German violin and another on a violin from Tesco with an rrp of £49.99. Having listened to each of the three violins you could then make your selection as to which was played on each of the violins.

I took the test. To my surprise I found that I guessed which was the Stradivarius correctly. But I confused the expensive German instrument with the Tescovarius.

I am not completely convinced that the accuracy of my correct guess of the Stradivarius was down to anything more than the fact that it was the last of the clips that I heard and was nothing more than just that – an accurate guess. I can’t believe it was due to my ear for music, though I do think the Stradivarius sounded a little smoother.

Whatever the reality of my choice of the Stardivarius, what surprised me was how little difference there appeared to be between the cheap instrument and its more expensive German counterpart. To the untrained ear, hardly any difference at all.

You’ve probably heard the saying “The good is the enemy of the best”. And that is often true. Sometimes however, the good and even the best can be the enemy of the effective.

When it comes to serving Christ, we sometimes disqualify ourselves because our gifting isn’t “Stradivarius” class. The truth is there are very few who have “Stradivarius” class giftings. If you take preaching, for instance, the Wesleys, Spurgeons, Lloyd-Jones, Jakes and Bonnkes are rare, a handful in every generation. And sometimes not even a handful. Their gifts are way beyond what the vast majority of preachers could ever realistically aspire to.

You could say the same about social action and reform. How many Mother Teresas and Martin Luther-Kings have we had in the last hundred years? Eh..two. The same applies to business. Think Jobs. In fact it applies to many areas of life.

But because I can’t preach like Spurgeon, do social action like Mother Teresa or start a business like Apple, doesn’t mean there is something lacking in the gift that God has given me. And it doesn’t mean that you should quit preaching, doing social action or starting a business!

I think most of us know that, but we’re sometimes left a little overwhelmed by “Stradivarius” level giftings.

Now for the more controversial bit! The Tescovarius level gifting is adequate! What we do, and what I have sometimes done, is spent hours trying to perfect a gifting in the hope that it will become a more effective gifting. Or we think that if we were just a little bit better at something, if we were just a little more 19th century German than £49.99 Tesco, then God could use it.

Whole churches make that mistake. They look at what they aren’t and expend a lot of effort trying to make themselves what they think is just a bit better, but the world doesn’t notice any real difference. If the time that we spent thinking about how we could become better was employed thinking about how we could deploy and use what we have the world would be a happier place.

Am I saying that we shouldn’t seek to excel in the gifts that God has given us? Of course not. All I am saying is that perfecting a gift doesn’t necessarily make it more effective.

Coming back to our violin illustration, if a violinist was sent to a place where a violin concerto had never been heard, armed only with a cheap violin, no-one is going to complain about the violin. Their focus is going to be on the music.

And that my friends is what it’s all about. The music rather than the violin. The power of the Holy Spirit rather than the gift in which it is wrapped.

Let’s keep the music playing, whether our gifting is superstar class or superstore level.

The power of because

Harvard psychologist, Ellen Langer, conducted some research about the power of the word because. She had someone approach the person at the front of a queue of people waiting at a photocopier. The person simply stated that she was in a rush and asked if she could use the photocopier. Sixty per cent of the time the person at the front of the queue complied with the request. She then repeated the experiment, only this time the person asked if she could photocopy because she was in a rush. Amazingly ninety-four per cent of the time the person at the front of the queue complied with the request. What is even more amazing was that when the experiment was repeated again and the because changed to “because I need to make photocopies”, the request was successful ninety-three per cent of the time.

Research like this never can be absolutely perfect. The huge difference, however, between the results attained when because  was used and when it was not used, tell us something about the power of having a reason for our actions and how that can influence others.

There are becauses all over the Bible – about 1586 if you search for because in the NIV search engine on BIble Gateway!

In Luke 4.43, Jesus says:

‘I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.’

The research mentioned above demonstrated the power of because in influencing others. However, sometimes the person that we most need to influence is ourselves.

Jesus came preaching the good news of the kingdom of God. He did what He did for one very clear reason: because that is why I was sent. His life and ministry was rooted deeply in His sense of being sent by the Father.

Why are we doing what we are doing? Why are you serving God? Why are you following Jesus? What would stop you serving? What would stop you following?

They’re not the sort of questions that should preoccupy us. Being continually perplexed about our motives is not a godly thing. Even Paul said he didn’t judge himself (1 Corinthians 4.3). Occasionally, though, we need to ask ourselves the tougher questions that do challenge our motives. The only good reason for serving, living a godly life, for prayer, study, etc., is Jesus. It is all about Him. Yes, there are other good reasons. But the primary reason that we live the way we do is – or at least should be – because of Jesus.

Feeling like quitting? Feeling things are a bit tough? Disillusioned? Disappointed? Wondering if it’s worth it all? Strengthen your because.

I’ll leave you with Peter’s quote from king David:

David said about him: ‘“I saw the Lord always before me.
    Because he is at my right hand,
    I will not be shaken. Acts 2.25

Making regret work for you

As a younger minister, I used to love reading “If I were starting out again” type articles. They always held out the promise of secrets, learned of course by hard experience, of how to live and lead successfully. I still like to read articles like that. It also has to be said that my age would qualify me to write an article like that!

The trouble is, however, we don’t get the chance to start again. Life might be like a board game in some respects, but when you’re playing a board game you can decide to start a new one without any consequences or implications from the previous game. New starts in life don’t happen like that; the history is permanent.

Of course this brings us to the whole issue of what might have been or what might not have been and the unwelcome spectre of regret.

Regret is a very powerful emotion. According to Hebrews 12, Esau spent a life locked in a kind of tearful regret:

You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears. (Hebrews 12.17).

Regret drove Judas Iscariot to suicide.

How do we deal with regret?

Firstly, recognise regret for what it is.

Regret is, like unforgiveness, in that it is something that causes us to live in the hope of a better past. The foolishness of hoping for a better past highlights the pointlessness of regret. It has no power to change the past, but it has the power to keep us chained to the past.

Living in regret is like keeping driving around a roundabout and never taking an exit – you might be moving but you are going nowhere.

However, we can also redeem regret.

How can we do that? We can learn from our experience. It is one thing to make a mistake and learn from it, another to go on making the same mistake over and over again. If we have the courage to dissect our regret and the events which sparked it we might discover ways to avoid setting ourselves up for future disappointment.:

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. (Proverbs 4.26)

We can also use our regrets to help others. If we have a strong enough connection with others and the courage to reveal our regrets, we might help them to avoid the mistakes we have made.

The reverse is true as well. We can learn from the regrets of others. In 1 Corinthians 10 Paul said that reflecting on the history of Israel could be used as a learning exercise.

And it is possible to be released from regret.

Paul decided to forget his past:

But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3.13-14)

The context makes it clear that Paul hadn’t forgotten the events of the past. What he had done was to change his focus towards a future spent serving Christ. Past performance would no longer shape his future expectation. He was not what he had done.

Our prayer might be “Lord give us the grace to forget.” And He will.

One day the world will know

Just recently Melvyn Bragg narrated a documentary about the English reformer William Tyndale.

Tyndale entered the priesthood in the early sixteenth century at a time when people were rediscovering the Bible across Europe. He set out to translate the Bible into everyday English so that in his own words even a plowboy could understand. Noble as his purpose might seem now, in his day, Tyndale’s ideas were revolutionary and not only a perceived threat to the political and religious establishment, but a real threat.

He was forced to flee to mainland Europe, settling in Belgium, where eventually the authorities caught up with him and had him burnt as a heretic.

Some years later when Henry VIII decided to change his faith for marital reasons, he finally agreed to the production of an English translation of the Bible.

Myles Coverdale was given the task and the plaudits when the new translation was produced, despite the fact that he had drawn heavily on Tyndale. Tyndale’s name never was mentioned. When the Authorised Version of 1611 was produced in the next century, Tyndale’s contribution was again ignored, despite the fact that, according to the latest scholarship, about seventy-five per cent of the translation came from Tyndale’s earlier work.

Melvyn Bragg maintains that William Tyndale stands alongside Shakespeare as the person who most influenced the development of the English language. For all sorts of political and religious reasons, however, he has been almost air brushed out of history.

Some people never get the recognition they deserve. These people are found in families, workplaces, churches. They work hard without thanks, serve in secret, sacrifice without acknowledgement. Like Tyndale, they have a good cause. They have a noble purpose. However, the worth of what they are doing is seldom recognised, for whatever reason.

The pastor in me is at this point screaming “Find these people and thank them! Encourage them! Tell them that they are doing a wonderful job! Tell them to keep doing it!” And so we should. We should encourage one another. You don’t really need me to quote Hebrews to prove that we should do that.

However, now that I have got my inner pastor under control, my inner prophet has an entirely different take on this. He says something like this: “There are some things worth doing because they are worth doing, whether anyone at anytime recognises what you are doing or affirms what you are doing. You need to discover a level of dedication that exceeds the need for gratitude or encouragement.”

When we can say about our service or ministry or work, “This is worth doing – whatever”, we have touched something very powerful and very strong.

And even though we might never be recognised in this life, we will certainly be rewarded in the life to come. Tyndale was never recognised or remembered in a way that was his due, but you can rest assured, his reward is great.

Jesus said as much in Matthew 6:

 ³ But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,⁴ that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly (Matthew 6.3-4 NKJV).

Your good work might go unnoticed now, but one day the world will know.

Letting your hair down this Easter

The story of Mary anointing Jesus with expensive perfume right at the beginning of Easter week, doesn’t fit easily around all the other events of that week.

For a start church tradition, no doubt in an attempt to accommodate the story and make sure it is not forgotten, has shifted it to “holy Monday” despite the fact that it occurred before palm Sunday.

And even though the event itself proves to have a prophetic function in that it points to the death and burial of Christ, there is an awkwardness that surrounds it. Awkward because each of the gospels give us different pieces of information, with what appears to be a similar but probably completely different story in Luke 7.

However, what is really awkward lies in what actually happened. Mary of Bethany, according to John’s gospel (12.1-3), takes a pint of pure nard – an expensive perfume – pours it on Jesus’ feet and wipes His feet with her hair. The other accounts (Matthew 26.6-13 & Mark 14.1-10), reveal that she anointed His head as well.

Jesus said that what Mary did would ensure that she was remembered throughout the world wherever the gospel was preached (Mark 14.9). Mary’s spontaneous act of worship had secured a legacy of which she had never dreamt.

How can we leave the kind of legacy that Mary has left for us?

‘Leave her alone,’ said Jesus. ‘Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. ⁷ The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. ⁸ She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. ⁹ Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.’ Mark 14.6-9

Firstly, Mary’s act was considered.

Although it was something done spontaneously, Mary had evidently been keeping the pint of nard for such a moment as this. John 12.7 says that she had “kept” or “saved” the perfume for the day of Jesus’ burial. The word has the idea of “watching over”. Mary had saved her perfume for a moment such as this.

How are you planning to “bless” Jesus?

Secondly, Mary did something creative.

Anointing your guest with a pint of expensive perfume was not the usual way of expressing your appreciation. It was different. It was unusual. Her creativity resulted in something that Jesus described as beautiful.

God has given us the ability to be creative. To be different. Use that difference for His glory.

Thirdly, Mary did something unconventional.

Foot washing was not unusual in houses in the ancient world. But it was something that was usually carried out by a menial servant. It wasn’t something you’d expect of your host or hostess. And you certainly didn’t expect your whole body to be anointed with expensive perfume – water from the nearest well would suffice.

When God leads us to do something that makes an impact for Him, it is usually unconventional. It breaks with the established order.

Fourthly, Mary did something that was costly.

Mary’s action was costly in a couple of ways. The perfume itself was expensive: it was worth a year’s wages. It is also possible that the perfume was some sort of family heirloom. One can imagine the questions that might have raised with her family.

It was costly in another way. She incurred the criticism of the disciples, Judas in particular for “wasting” this perfume, when the proceeds from it’s sale could have been used in another way.

It’s costly to follow Jesus. Sometimes the sacrifice is financial. Sometimes it consists of having our motives questioned.

Finally, Mary’s extravagant act of worship connected her to God’s redemptive plan for the world.

By doing what she did, Mary, perhaps unconsciously become caught up in God’s great act of redemption.

Abandoning ourselves to Jesus connects us to God’s purpose for the world. Pouring out our lives in His service helps to further His purpose in a way of which we are probably not fully aware.

It was just one moment in her life. I’m tempted to say one moment when she let her hair down for Jesus. One moment that would reverberate throughout the world throughout history.