Finding "It"

The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. Sounds simple doesn’t it? If we are going to successfully complete “the main thing,” then we need to know what it is and stick to it.

As a busy pastor I must confess my need to rediscover the main thing. I laugh to myself whenever someone says something like, “Oh you’re a pastor; it must be nice to only have to work one day a week.” Most people don’t understand the work of the ministry; to be honest I don’t think I really got it until after I began to serve as a lead-pastor nearly thirteen years ago now. I’m thankful for the six years I served as an assistant pastor in Kent; I learned a lot from my mentor and friend Pastor Dave, but something changes that I don’t know if I can put into words when you transition from just being a member of the church staff. Pastoring really is hard work.

Please understand, I don’t just want to complain or sound like a cry baby. My purpose is to somehow help ordinary folks understand my need to rediscover “the main thing.” You might think working at the church, preaching each Sunday, preparing lessons to teach, writing devotionals, praying, counseling and a laundry list of other things I do from week to week would keep the main thing easily in sight. It must be easy for the pastor to keep his/her spiritual priorities in right alignment because unlike church folks the pastor is immersed in the life of the church. Not many pastors have to work in the secular market place so it must be nice to just focus on Jesus 24/7 right? (I’m not knocking the by-vocational pastor—been there done that too).

The fact of the matter is that the main thing can be lost among the clutter of activity. If pastors can lose it then ordinary church folks can too. I know only one way to rediscover the main thing: LOOK AT JESUS.

• [14] After John had been put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee and told people the Good News of God. [15] He said, "The time has come, and the kingdom of God is near. Change the way you think and act, and believe the Good News."
  Mark 1:14-15 (GW)

Jesus’ very first words proclaimed the gospel, the good news. And what was this message? “The kingdom of God is near.” I think that there in is a key to finding the main thing.

God’s kingdom is still near today. The question is not “What would Jesus do?” but “What is Jesus doing?” You see its not what I can do or say, but what Jesus will do in and through me (and you too). When we better understand what Jesus did when He walked this earth we will better be able to see what He is doing today. Then we can join Him in His work. I think that’s the main thing. How about you?