January 8, 2015

Dear MLEPC Members and Friends,

I recently received a note from a friend who was an elder at my first church outside of Asheville, North Caroliina, 1988-1994. In fact, he was a member of the Pastor Search Committee that recommended me to that congregation, something for which I remain ever grateful. In his note, he included the following "Pearls of Wisdom" for consideration as we begin 2015.

• Wouldn't it be great if we could put ourselves in the dryer for ten minutes; come of wrinkle-free and three sizes smaller.
• Last year I joined a support group for procrastinators. We haven't met yet.
• I don't trip over things, I do random gravity checks.
• I don't need anger management. I need people to stop making me upset.
• I don't have gray hair. I have "wisdom highlights."
• My people skills are just fine. It's my tolerance for fools that needs work.
• The kids text me "plz" which is shorter than "please." I text back "no" which is shorter than "yes."
• I've lost my mind, and I'm pretty sure my kids took it.
• Why do I have to press "one" for English when they're just going to transfer me to someone I can't understand anyway?
• Of course I talk to myself; sometimes I need expert advice.

Did a few of these make you smile or chuckle? Me, too. I particularly note that several of them include humor that encourages us not to take ourselves too seriously. How much better things will go in 2015 if we retain the ability to laugh at ourselves. Sorry, I don't have a ready Bible verse to reinforce this observation, but Scripture provides plenty of material in support of the virtue of humility. I find that truly humble people actually can have fun making fun of themselves; the proud rarely are willing to express humor at their own expense. Simple wisdom for 2015: laugh a lot and not infrequently at yourself.

 

The other observation concerns the value of relationships. The man who sent me these quips and I first met in 1988, over 25 years ago. He and his wife were a tremendous encouragement to Juli and I as we were starting our family and I was starting in ordained ministry. Over the years, we've both gotten a lot older, and his dear wife went home to be with the Lord just over seven years ago. But he's continued faithfully in Christ as a servant leader in God's church. Who are the people who've been significant in our walk with Christ? Who has traveled many miles in the journey of faith with us over the years? And with whom are we looking to establish and develop such relationships in 2015 with faith that they will grow into the future? Simple wisdom for 2015: recognize, prize, and develop these relationships in the coming year.

 

Of course, the greatest of these relationships is with our God. The Almighty Maker of heaven and earth personally knows and cares about all whom by grace call upon His name. He loves us and loves to see our relationship with Him flourish above all others. And along the way, I suspect that each of us gives Him plenty to chuckle about as we find our way falteringly in the footsteps of Him who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Knowing and growing in Christ: this is the ultimate wisdom for 2015 and forevermore.

 

Pastor Tim 

 

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