“The world can no longer be left to mere diplomats, politicians, and business leaders. They have done the best they could, no doubt. But this is an age for spiritual heroes - a time for men and women to be heroic in their faith and in spiritual character and power. The greatest danger to the Christian church today is that of pitching its message too low.” ― Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives
Each day of our lives we will face decisions that challenge all our senses and bring emotional distress. These decisions can fill us with doubts and fears and we hope we have the correct information and resources for a good, solid, just decision.
As a pastor, I face moments of critical decision-making where leadership skills are strained and all my skills and patience is required. When I face these moments, my hope and prayer is that I will be as smart as Jesus in my decisions, but I also hope I will be supported and encouraged by the community of faith.
When looking on a situation from the outside, others sometimes lead us to believe that some decisions are just simple, no brainers when the fact is that they are far from easy. After the fact, when critical action was taken, we can seem to others like we were geniuses or fools. Others might believe we made these decisions on our own, but within the body of Christ this is not generally the case, nor should it be.
Knowledge and skills are beneficial when making critical decisions, but what is even best is when we face these challenges within a supportive, faithful, and nurturing community that provides focus and direction for the gifts, talents and things we know. Communities during the times of trouble in our lives save us, sometimes from our own unreliable knowledge and our lack of patience.
Most of the time I just need Christ and the Christian community to save me. As the Psalmist says: “In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me.” (Ps. 71:2) Jesus faced challenges not unlike the challenges the church faces today.
