Today I was ordained as a minister in the Southern Baptist Denomination.
I had been ordained once before by a different denomination. That ordination was solemn and funeral like.
Today was a celebration.
Friends and family were there. Laughter was overflowing.
Yet....
....I felt so very unworthy.
And then it hit me.
My ordination was a celebration of my unworthiness.
I am unworthy, but HE is worthy!
Everything that was celebrated today was because of what HE has done, is doing and is continuing to do, and will do.
God is great! God is mighty! God is awesome!
So the next time you feel like a loser, don't get down...celebrate, the Bible says "For all are losers and fall short of the glory of God." (that's the New Pastor Dave translation)
Jesus is for losers, and we were all losers.
Praise God that I said yes to Jesus and moved from the losing team to the winning team.
Tomorrow is another day, and I may post a "deeper" blog, but for today, please join me in celebrating my unworthiness!
Ok, so there's that.
Pastor Dave
Thoughts on Scripture and life, from a small church pastor. Exploring what it means, that everyone needs the Good Shepherd.
3 comments:
I just want to thank you Dave for allowing me to be part of this celebration this afternoon. I truly enjoyed being there and to see how much your church family loves you. I thank you for being Dave, even though you did ware a coat and tie today. God bless…
Steve
Dear Brother,
I wish I could have been there. I am so very proud of you, for so many reasons. When I read the words you write, the words that God gives you, I am sometimes moved to tears, as now, and sometimes moved to laughter, but I am always moved. I love you and miss you......and YOU wore a coat and tie? Love, Bren
Dave,
Greetings in Christ. I was searching on the computer for anything about unworthiness. Almost all of it was about how we shouldn't feel that way, these feelings are not from God, it is bad, etc, etc. And on and on justifying the flesh in one form or another. A big problem that I have and still do have is trying to present myself as a good person, either to other sinful people or "proving to God (somehow) that there really is something good about me. What a lie that is. We had a study about that in our church. It was basically called "I really can be glad about my unworthiness rather than sad because of the good that comes thru it. In otherwords, my unworthiness makes me eligible to be saved. Jesus only came for corrupt sinners not for good religious people. So in effect my unworthiness is my calling card and my ticket. My eligibility! What a break. Now I need more grace to let this hopeful realization sink into my ears. John Bunyan wants said that many people try to stifle bad feelings and fearful ones too. However, these very well could be the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the natural reaction is to try to get rid of them. But David said "when I was brought low, He saved me". As we let the bad news of how vile I am and what I really deserve from God have its full effect then I can really extra appreciate the good news of God's grace in Jesus Christ in a far more believable way that will lead to genuine confidence for the day of judgment. Pray for me - I'll pray for you. God bless you, Paul
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