Life: Show Or Substance

I traveled a new stretch of road this morning... perhaps not technically new. Thinking about it for a moment, there's a chance I've been on it once or twice at most in the past two and half years. So, it certainly felt new. I was already driving through a pretty high-end community, but to see some of the properties for the first time... simply incredible. Not every single one mind you; I was slowly getting away from the busyness and into a more rural area, but still close enough to justify some executive-style homes.

This is nothing new... I daily drive by such properties and communities. Many of them have that incredible "wow" factor that makes you want to live there. Then reality sets in and you wonder, if I could afford it, would I really want to spend it all on one property? Wouldn't I rather have a modest place AND a vacation get-away? Or a modest home and a huge barn for my dream car collection? (keep in mind, everyone else' typical "dream" garage looks very different from mine)

All of this got me thinking...

Sure, most of these high-end homes are just as incredible to step into as they are to drive by, but what if they aren't?

Scripture was so far ahead of it's time, wasn't?

Man looks at the outside appearance, but God looks at the heart. Likewise, it's easy to get caught up in these exclusive neighborhoods, wondering how everyone on the highway can afford these lift-kit luxury trucks that probably never leave payment and think that because fit and finish looks perfect, that behind closed doors, life is equally grand.

Sadly, this is far from true; not only for a good number of the general population, but also a significant percentage of those in ministry. Not all of them granted, I understand that. But I get that life is hard. The struggle is real. The kids are watching, hearing and learning... and you consider the strength of your faith in light of the battles of life and wonder how this all plays out.

Family is watching. So are friends. So is the church. And as we pray for pastors of youth and kids, so is the next generation of believers.

May our faith and it's prominence in our lives not be just a powerful statement of appearance, but a life-long statement of substance; that while the challenges we face in life are great, we serve a God who is greater than anything that comes to seek and destroy our lives.

Pray, this #youthPastorWednesday, for those pastors struggling in life, whether at home or ministry, where things just aren't going as well as what appearances would suggest. For those who feel they don't have a friend to confide in or seek for help, may God place people in their lives who will encourage and lift them up. Whatever the challenges they face and matters of the heart with which they are having difficulty, may God grant them wisdom and discernment as to the direction they should take and the decisions that should be made. Pray for the miraculous to occur in their marriages and homes; in the relationships with their kids as well as their ministry. May the youth that sit under their leadership witness and understand a true and genuine faith, that in spite of life's difficulties, their faith remains strong in Him who has sovereign placed them... for just a time as this.

May we not live a life of showmanship
But of substance.
Not known for our accumulation
But for our contribution.
Not only to the community in which we live
But the cause of Christ for which we serve.
For the glory of God and the witness of the Cross.

- PNC

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