Hiding Monsters

I caught part of a sermon from Chuck Swindoll on the radio, and he mentioned how at a previous church he pastorsed, he had to deal with the heinous acts of one of elders. He didn't go into great detail, obviously, but he talked about when it came it to the surface, that the church dealt with it. Publicly. And correctly. Matters such as what that church encountered can't mess around, when it comes time for resolution.

We are all human, even the nicest, most admired and influential of leaders. Sadly, at some point, more churches than not have had matters that have been a troubling and delicate balancing act that they have had to deal with and bring instruction, correction, resolution and healing.

But it begins by the things we keep in the closet of our lives. There's big difference between guarding the treasures and hiding the monsters. And every time one passes from this life, with monsters not dealt with, we leave a looming disaster. For just as you don't know who will walk through the "empty" house after you move, neither do you know who will discover what your life has left behind. Who knows what the repercussions will be, but at least if the monsters in your life are dealt with while you are still around, you have a presence and a voice in the outcome. If they are found after the fact, well... it's a devastating disaster waiting to happen. And it ruins the reputation of your life, as there is now, no way for anything good to follow it.

The monster is now your legacy, rather than your guarded and prized treasures.

Don't let what's wrong in your life go unchecked and unresolved. Lest the unknown be your defining moment, rather than that which you have striven to make known.

On this #deaconThursday, pray for those in church leadership who perhaps have monsters in hiding. Pray for the power of confession to do it's work, that resolution and healing may occur. Pray for wisdom as churches and pastors deal with delicate and troubling situations, regardless of their nature. Pray for correction and instruction to have it's place. May such circumstances be saturated with grace and truth, love and forgiveness; even when punishment and justice are in order. Pray that the church would be healthy and holy, functioning as a whole body, serving a holy God.

For His glory alone
Called to be holy, as only He is
For the advancement of the Gospel of Christ.

- PNC