Tough Days, Tougher Leaders
by Ken Idleman
Whether you consider the COVID19 pandemic an obstacle to growth or an opportunity for growth in the life of your church, one thing on which we can all agree is that we have been through a challenging season for the past 18 months or so. The coronavirus was not expected, and, as a result, it was not something for which any of us as church leaders were fully prepared. To have our worship assemblies, classes and small groups restricted or suspended was distressing. To have our smiles blunted by surgical masks was annoying. To have to socially distance from our friends and family was frustrating. To have to isolate our loved ones in hospitals and nursing homes or bury them without honoring their memory was heartrending.
But I remember a Robert Schuller quote that became a slogan on the wall in the locker room of my high school football team: “Tough times never last, but tough people do!” I think the coach was trying to prepare us for the agony of our two-a-day practices in the heat of August! This little phrase would actually be a good subtext for 1 Peter 4:12-19; words that were written to “God’s elect” who were exiles scattered by persecution throughout the provinces of the Roman Empire. Peter writes to empower these early Christian leaders/believers to do more than survive. The apostle is charging them to thrive in spite of some very tough challenges. The apostle compels them to live a life of commitment in a season of suffering.
Now some today would say that a life of commitment should be avoided...
“Keep your options open.”
“You may want to change your mind.”
“You may want to be free of responsibility.”
“Don’t fence yourself in.”
“Don’t tie yourself down.”
“Don’t limit your possibilities.”
“What if unforeseen or inconvenient circumstances arise?”
But commitment is vital to a meaningful life...
Playing on a team
Achieving a college degree
Engaging in military service
Taking marriage vows
Bearing and rearing children
Buying a home or a car.
All of these and more involve making a commitment.
Now, the decision to follow Christ is a commitment that elevates every aspect of life and living. Dr. Lewis Smedes writes, “Who we are is determined by the commitments we dare to make and care to keep throughout our lives.” He would say it is not our race, our gender, our nationality, our net worth, our educational degrees or our achievements that determine who we are. It is our character and our character is defined by our commitments. So, if you ask me who I am I will reply that I am a follower of Jesus Christ, the husband of Kaylene, the father of Karissa, Kyle and Kamille, the father-in-law of Brian, Desi and Matt, the grandfather of 11 grandchildren and 2 grandsons-in-law, a pastor coach for The Solomon Foundation, on e2’s Bench, a member of Southeast Christian Church, a table leader for Man Challenge, one of the preachers at the Chapel of the Woods and one of the teachers of the Peacemakers ABF class. All of these responsibilities involve a significant heart-commitment of my time, talent and treasure.
So, bottom line… opportunities to commit to some cause or some person are opportunities to grow… opportunities to be involved in activities and invest in people in ways that will matter in eternity.
Peter wrote the first of two letters to Christ-followers who were experiencing tough days and he charged them to make a tough-minded commitment to suffering. That commitment included some very practical counsel for 21st century church leaders:
Don’t be surprised! [v. 12] Expect to encounter an occasional ‘fiery ordeal.’ Don’t consider it is something strange when it happens. Such tests are a reminder that we live in a fallen world. Jesus warned us that “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). Church leaders must be stable and dependable shepherds in tough seasons.
Rejoice! [v. 13] We actually consider it a source of joy to participate in the sufferings of Christ. Therefore we do not complain, nor are we fatalistic. We know in the end we will be overjoyed when He returns.
If you are insulted, be blessed! [v. 14] So, if you are rudely confronted for not wearing a mask or not getting a vaccination or not voting a certain way or not being aligned with a particular political party or social cause… just realize that if you demonstrate self-control, the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you!
Praise God that you are suffering not as a criminal, but as a Christian! [vv. 15-16] Take a moment on the tough days to be thankful and praise God that you bear His name and that he is with you through it all. Claim the promise of Psalm 112:6-8, “Surely the righteous will never be shaken… They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting the Lord… Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear…”
Commit yourself to your faithful Creator and continue to do good! [v. 19] There is a tendency to focus on the issues that create stress and anxiety, but in tough times we must make a conscious effort to double-down and protect our margins draw near to God. The spiritual discipline of solitude will produce in us greater faith and confidence. Then, at the same time, we continue to bear fruit. Consistently investing in doing good works will keep us from worry and fear.
