In case you ever wondered (not that you did, but just in case) what my day job is, I drive a medical shuttle and I pastor a small church.
One day, while medical shuttling, I pondered some of life’s greatest mysteries–as we all do at times behind the wheel: Why can’t you buy salted peanuts with sugar? Why do all my jacket zippers randomly split open at the bottom? I wonder if Sam Beckett failed a mission, and that’s why he’s never returned. And if he hasn’t yet failed a mission, and he’s still out there saving the world, who would have replaced Al and Gooshie? Because, if Dean Stockwell and Dennis Wolfberg died in real life, then that means Al and Gooshie could have died and been replaced too. Oh, and don’t answer me with that, “Well, didn’t you see the new series?” malarkey.
But anyway, it also occurred to me, that social media works the opposite of how I expect it. Sure, we all want to see what our friends and family are up to, and what our old high school buddies are doing nowadays. But it also seems as if there’s more to social media–or at least there should be–than vacation pics and so on. There’s information that needs to be relayed, personal expression of what’s in our hearts that needs to be let out to those who have ears to hear…
It seems as if the family pet–as an example–is more important than sharing the gospel and standing for God’s truth in a weird world. I get it, no one is going to argue about a pet. I mean, no one is going to say, “You have a white dog? That’s racist!” (at least, I hope no one is going to say that). Sure, I have my moments of commenting on others’ posts with whom I disagree–not often, but it happens. And it happens to me, as well. And to the best of my ability, I try not to intentionally arouse anger but rather present some food for thought–the intention of my blog A Closer Look. While not everyone is a blogger, vlogger, or Youtuber, I would think that more people would be more engaged in at least sharing blogs, YouTube videos, etc. Or is it just me? Am I a glutton for punishment? Does no one care about the issues, or are they fine with just keeping their opinion to themselves? Perhaps both.
But for pastors, it’s a different story.
Truth is our profession–and what I would have to strongly presume–is also your passion, at least it is, mine. It’s why we do what you do. It’s why this blog exists. So how and why is it that I don’t see our average, ordinary pastors standing up for truth and righteousness in a mixed-up, messed-up world? Is it because pastors don’t want to ruffle any feathers? Is it because they may lose members? Is it because they’re afraid that it may cost them something, or that it may cost someone their salvation? None of that makes sense. Our job is to plant the seed regardless of the soil.
Consider God’s command to Ezekiel:
16 At the end of seven days the word of the Lord came to me:17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 18 When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 19 But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself (Ez. 3:16-19).
Some will say, “Yeah, but that was a job for Ezekiel, not us.” Oh yeah? Please check out the sermon on being a watchman below. It is a job for all of us who have been called to be shepherds to our flock–and I believe a command for the flock to then extend their watch to their friends, family, and neighbors as well. Perhaps not all will listen. Maybe some will get hostile. That’s okay. We have been spoiled here in the United States for the past 250 years–not including the prior 150 years since The Mayflower. And because of that, I think many of us have become soft. But the call is to preach, teach, and point the way no matter the outcome. We will be rewarded based on our faithfulness, not on our success.
You may say then, “What about casting pearls before swine?” I get that, and it is a true and wise statement from Jesus himself. We should not cast pearls before swine. However, if we’re casting pearls and the swine just happen to be in the way–well, that’s a different story.
More wise words from Jesus: the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town (Matt. 10:13-15).
Notice, that Jesus didn’t say, “Well, a lot of people aren’t going to listen, so don’t bother going at all.” No, he said to not only go but go from town to town whether they listen or not.
Think of these words from Paul to Timothy: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Think of all that Paul had endured to this point (2 Cor. 11:24-29) and now, he was preparing to die a horrible death at the hands of the Roman Empire. Did that stop him from telling Timothy to keep on keeping on? Did Paul say, “Tim, don’t do it. Look where I am, and you’ll end up here. For your sake, please stop preaching the gospel. Shut down everything, pack your bags, and become a regular laborer. Forget this Christianity thing, it’s not worth it.”
Nope. Not at all.
Do you see what I’m getting at? Where are the pastors and evangelists on social media? Why are you hiding? Please, come on out and shine the light. Don’t hide that light under a bushel. Shed some truth. And don’t be afraid. Whatever backlash and friends we may lose is part of the tightrope we walk as 21st-century Christians. I agree, we should walk it carefully. But it is also no excuse to be cowards.
Featured Image by Mojca-Peter from Pixabay
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