The Numbers Game

There's a phrase that has been roaming around my head off and on for the past few days, perhaps, even the past few weeks...

Don't despise small beginnings. A reminder that was brought to the forefront Sunday night, regarding the comment about comparing starting positions.

The other... advice offered to the Apostle Timothy... don't let anyone look down on you because you are young.

Youth. Small beginnings. They go hand in hand with each other, because nobody just starting out immediately steps into greatness. Even Jesus, when found in the temple at age 13, was not yet speaking to multitudes of thousands.

It's easy to get caught up in watching numbers. Church attendance. Finances. Investment opportunities. Risk factors and reward potential. The impact your work is having... it can all be tracked. And is. And used accordingly for future plans.

Even for Bring Me 70... my stats page was down for the past few weeks while tech support sorted it out. What a great surprise to see December and January had set record visit numbers. And February is off to an even stronger start. Yet something as simple as not seeing a like or a share on Facebook or Twitter and you wonder if anyone knows you exist!

Thus, I was excited and humbled at the jump-start of people joining Bring Me 70 for the #pray4pastors 70 seconds challenge.

Yet, even as I prayed over this project, I was reminded early yesterday morning of Christ. Sure, he drew the crowds, but for those who were close...

It wasn't 1200 disciples. But 12. And the inner circle of friends? Not 300. But 3.

The multitudes saw the miraculous on a massive scale. However, Scripture is replete with accounts of people who encountered Jesus just as they do today. One-on-one at their point and place of need.

What good is a conversion rate if the conversion doesn't last?
For the interactions Christ had with the person right in front of Him, destinies were changed for eternity.

If that weren't enough; he rebuked those who tried to keep the children from coming to Him.

Pray, this #youthPastorWednesday, for Pastors struggling as I did, in watching numbers. Whether finances be tight or attendance plateaued, pray their focus remains on people having a genuine encounter with Jesus Christ, whether they be adult or child. Pray this upcoming generation of kids and youth come to a firm foundation of faith; that regardless of what comes of this world and what rises against them, may the trust and rely solely on God. At a time when it's so easy to seek other things, people and sources for solutions, may leaders and followers alike, within the body of Christ, seek the face and kingdom of God first.... and His righteousness. And may all the other "things", whatever they may be and however many they may number, be added as He sees fit.

For the glory of God and the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC

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