Others > Self

I recently heard the testimony and story of Emily Colson, daughter of well-known Chuck Colson and the story of her autistic son, Max. In fact, she and her dad wrote a book together before Chuck passed, telling their story, titled Dancing With Max.

But as I listened to her final remarks, she made an interesting point; that not only applies to pretty much everyone, let alone Christians and church leadership.

In discussing her son, Emily states that God's plan for Max, is not for him to be healed or changed so that he lives, acts and communicates like the rest of humanity. God's plan for Max is to be like Christ! This point she emphasizes, also happens to be God's plan for the rest of humanity.

Not that people would act like us, believe like us, look like us or live like us. We all should be ever changing and transforming towards the reflection of Christ.

And here's the part that stood out.

Too often we are concerned about having a perfect life, perfect moment, perfect experience.
Imagine if our focus was geared towards helping others, have the perfect life, a perfect moment or the perfect experience.

We worry, stress and all but freak out over the circumstance of which we will be directly affected. But what would happen if we stepped aside and served those around us; that they would walk away changed and impacted, refreshed, revived and renewed.

In our marriages. In our families. In our workplace. In our communities. And by all means, in our churches, as pastors and parishioners partner together for the cause of Jesus Christ.

Let's pray this #youthPastorWednesday, that indeed pastors and believers would take the lead, not to live for a series of "perfect" for our own lives, but to create life-changing moments for others, whereby we might be the blessing of God as God has blessed us. Pray for pastors who are not feeling refreshed as they endeavor to refresh others. May God return it to the them 10 and 100 fold. Pray for strength to continue the good work that God has called each of us to fulfill. May we not be consumed to compare ourselves to others, but consumed to bless others rather than ourselves. As God works in us, pray we would not hesitate to change how we interact with those around us and all the more, with those closest to us.

For we were created for fellowship with God
And relationship with each other.
Filled with the love of God
Empowered by the Holy Spirit
To be the hands and feet of Christ
For those who've yet to be transformed
By the love and grace of Almighty God.

- PNC