The Lee County Ledger    Weekly Pastor's Corner

Gary's Musings             by Gary Collier

This past weekend I attended the funeral of a 89 year old man who walked closely with God. Many people stood at his viewing and spoke with passion about how he had impacted their lives with his spirit and his example of a Godly life. I had the chance to visit him a few weeks before his death and thank him personally for things he had done to encourage me in my past. He and his widow are great examples of folks who are encouragers, who are upbeat and who aren’t afraid to tell you “Good job!” 

Folks like this are rare and are prized when you can find them! Too many people are looking for reasons to talk about what others are doing for God or to make negative remarks when something new is tried and is successful.

 The Bible has several examples of this. When Joseph told his brothers that he had a dream where he was higher than them, they plotted together and sold him into slavery. (Shouldn’t brothers applaud each other’s success instead?)

 When Nehemiah traveled back to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls his enemies rose up in jealousy and mocked his efforts.  When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (St. John 11) the religious leaders conspired to KILL him! Think about it, folks. Lazarus had been dead for four days, so what Jesus did was a complete and total miracle. Why would the religious leaders of that day then conspire to kill Jesus, instead of applauding him?

I can think of a few reasons. This miracle didn’t happen as a result of their traditions. Jesus didn’t get their permission first. They were afraid that they would lose authority over the people if they didn’t exercise their power. They were scared that they would become ineffective if folks followed a new way. If they admitted that this new way was blessed by God then they would have to admit that their old ways weren’t the only ways to get things done.

 How many people remain in a rut because they’re afraid of what others will think if they dare to do something new or different? It could be your family, your co-workers or your boss... or perhaps your friends or those over you in authority.

 The Bible is filled with examples of “rebels”, though, who did what God told them to do in the face of what the established practices of that day were. Moses, David, Daniel and Jesus himself all dared to be faithful to God’s call instead of submitting to the naysayers.

 So is God calling you to act on a bold move of faith, either to do something, to start something, to build something, or to change something? If you’re sure that it’s God leading you then DO IT – and don’t worry about the naysayers. Most critics are non-performers, and they won’t be our judge after we die – God will be.

So step out in faith and work, knowing that you are advancing God’s kingdom (after all, it’s His and not ours anyway, right?) and obeying His voice. Sooner or later God will send the encouragers along to support you, like my friend Bro. Herston Ware was to me.

 Which will you be – a naysayer or an encourager?

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