| Romans 7: 21-26
So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is
right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ our Lord! |
There is an old song that children learn in Sunday School. It goes like this:
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine,
Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine.
And on and on it goes. We teach our children to do what, in so many ways, we do not do. While we are told to be salt and light to the world, there are many times when we miss the mark, and frankly many times we are just total failures.
From time to time, I admit that I am a total failure in this department. While I was not a total failure this past week, there have been many days that I can connect with the Apostle Paul when he lamented, "what a wretched man I am."
At a local church last week, I had the chance to give public testimony of the most defining segment of my life. It was the story of the beginning of my regular study of scripture that began in 1994 and how this intense journey had worn and deteriorated the cover and binding of the Bible I studied with at that time. My expedition with this Bible lasted for years, with numerous journeys through most of the books of the New Testament and many of the Old Testament. As I held this worn out Bible in front of the congregation, I
could sense a bit of pride in its ragged condition. I guess if I were to boast, this is what is boasting in the Lord should look like.
Letting Your Light Shine Through Public Bible Reading
The problem is that I am more embarrassed of myself than proud. In the same way I have pleased the Lord with my private reading, I cannot seem to shake my own embarrassment and awkward feelings when I carry that same Bible into a restaurant or even to church. I don't fail all the time, for there have been many months when I have let my Bible shine like I should. However, I have not totally won that battle of my own weakness, and I am fearful of
the final day when the Lord will speak to me about it.
I do know that, as leaders, we MUST hold ourselves to a higher standard. I cannot help but temper the accolades of my "inspirational" presentation with the reality of my weakness. It is far more important to share what a leader must go through in self examination if he or she truly wants to lead others than it is to simply try to present an inspirational message. The apostle Paul evidently felt emotionally sick over something when he lamented his wretchedness. What I have shared with you herein makes me feel sick and wretched too.
The coming generation will not fight the battle that this baby boomer has. The age of the Ipad, Kindle and other technological devices will now protect people like me from the awkwardness of showing "this little light of mine." Apart from my battle with being seen with my Bible in public, I have also used the Bible application on my I-phone many times. Last night, I attended a high tech church of thousands and did not see one person carrying a Bible. (They must have all been using their Ipads?) I actually felt strange carrying mine. Oh, there I go again ...
The Power of Sharing Weaknesses
In it all, I am so grateful for the Lords grace to me. Throughout scripture, he has shown his grace to His own as we read of the "wretchedness" of almost every one of his chosen leaders. I do not write this because I want to. When we leaders write like this, there is a fear that we will become less in your eyes, therefore hindering our leadership. However, in some small way, I am hoping my transparency will inspire you to let your leadership light shine, especially through your public reading of the Bible. You and I still have time to show this precious book before it finds it permanent place in a hand-held device.
There is still time to experience the blessing of reading the cover off "The Book."
 |
| My study Bible--with the cover worn off. |
At a local church last week, I had the chance to give public testimony of the most defining segment of my life. It was the story of the beginning of my regular study of scripture that began in 1994 and how this intense journey had worn and deteriorated the cover and binding of the Bible I studied with at that time. My expedition with this Bible lasted for years, with numerous journeys through most of the books of the New Testament and many of the Old Testament. As I held this worn out Bible in front of the congregation, I
could sense a bit of pride in its ragged condition. I guess if I were to boast, this is what is boasting in the Lord should look like.
Letting Your Light Shine Through Public Bible Reading
The problem is that I am more embarrassed of myself than proud. In the same way I have pleased the Lord with my private reading, I cannot seem to shake my own embarrassment and awkward feelings when I carry that same Bible into a restaurant or even to church. I don't fail all the time, for there have been many months when I have let my Bible shine like I should. However, I have not totally won that battle of my own weakness, and I am fearful of
the final day when the Lord will speak to me about it.
"I do know that as a leader we MUST hold ourselves to a higher standard."
 | |
| With Bible Apps, it's easy to hide your Bible Reading. |
The coming generation will not fight the battle that this baby boomer has. The age of the Ipad, Kindle and other technological devices will now protect people like me from the awkwardness of showing "this little light of mine." Apart from my battle with being seen with my Bible in public, I have also used the Bible application on my I-phone many times. Last night, I attended a high tech church of thousands and did not see one person carrying a Bible. (They must have all been using their Ipads?) I actually felt strange carrying mine. Oh, there I go again ...
The Power of Sharing Weaknesses
In it all, I am so grateful for the Lords grace to me. Throughout scripture, he has shown his grace to His own as we read of the "wretchedness" of almost every one of his chosen leaders. I do not write this because I want to. When we leaders write like this, there is a fear that we will become less in your eyes, therefore hindering our leadership. However, in some small way, I am hoping my transparency will inspire you to let your leadership light shine, especially through your public reading of the Bible. You and I still have time to show this precious book before it finds it permanent place in a hand-held device.
There is still time to experience the blessing of reading the cover off "The Book."
