We humans love routine.
Our brains don’t have to work as hard if we aren’t having to re-arrange the mental and social and theological furniture all the time.
But we sometimes miss out on important opportunities if we’re seeing all change as a threat.
The first football coach perhaps 80 years ago who promoted passing the ball more than running it was likely seen as a non-conformist who “didn’t understand” how the game was supposed to be played.
Look at football now…
Some of you are promoting Bible-based ideas in your congregation that don’t fit the tradition there. You’re perhaps facing resistance. Don’t be surprised.
Tradition sometimes has its heels deeply dug in at the personal thrones of the congregational leadership.
Be patient.
Pray.
Study to make sure your idea IS biblical and practical, and not just non-traditional.
Remember, though, just because something hasn’t been done doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done.
Good, innovative ideas come along on a regular basis. We just have to make sure they are genuinely godly.
Jesus encountered the thrones of tradition. Quite frequently.
Luke 6:6-11 describes a typical occasion when Jesus, the ultimate non-conformist, provided the godliest of ministry and was met with the ungodliest of scorn, ironically, by those who saw themselves as the most godly.
“On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal on the Sabbath.
“But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled hand, ‘Get up and stand in front of everyone.’ So he got up and stood there. Then Jesus said to them, ‘I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?’
“He looked around at them all, and then said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He did so, and his hand was completely restored. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.”
Let’s not put the comfort zone of tradition and pride ahead of ministry in the name of God.
It’s a trap that has caught up too many people over the centuries.
We’re here to build a kingdom of truth for Jesus Christ, not an empire of tradition for ourselves.
As always, I love you
Martin
