9.25.2015

Hey Pastor: Just Try To Keep Up


I believe that one of the biggest temptations for church planters and pastors is the temptation to "keep up."

I can remember a Sunday a few months ago where we had 7 people commit their lives to Jesus in our Sunday worship experiences. I was ecstatic. That is, until I went home and got on Twitter. And saw a pastor of a large church post about how his church had over 100 people trust Jesus during their services that same day. 

And all the sudden, the 7 lives that were forever changed seemed small. All because I felt the pressure of not being able to "keep up." Seven lives forever changed by God. It's amazing. It's incredible. But that joy was diminished because of the pressure to "keep up." Because of the sin of comparison.

Here's the truth: Comparison is a thief. It will rob us of our joy. It will rob us of our peace. It will rob us of our gratitude for what God is doing in our lives and in our churches.

So here is my challenge to you, pastor and church planter (and to myself): Let's try our best to keep up. But not with other people.

Don't try to keep up with other people. Instead, keep in step with the Spirit of God.

God's Word says, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25, NIV)

That's wisdom. That's godly advice. So let's shift our focus from comparing ourselves to others...and just try to keep up.