Double Portion

I have been extremely disturbed in the past few months by comments coming from young people who say they are called into ministry. There seems to be a severe lack of respect for senior ministers in the church. Often I hear comments that "it's time for the old people get out of the way,"or "they need to sit down so young people can take their place".  As a young minister I know I should say the same thing, but here is my question: how can they mentor us if we throw them aside? To say that we don't need them or that they have nothing left to offer is prideful and ignorant. We need to hear of their experience and watch them closely in order to learn how to persevere.

As I have been thinking about these comments that seem to flow with great regularity these days, my mind was drawn to the story of Elijah and Elisha. The Lord told Elijah to anoint Elisha as his successor.   He found Elisha working the land . "Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha left his oxen and ran after Elijah. 'Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,' he said, 'and then I will come with you.' 'Go back,' Elijah replied." (I Kings 9:19-20 NIV) Elisha went back, but he killed the oxen and burned his plowing equipment, leaving nothing for him to go back to. "Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant." (I Kings 9:21 NIV)

Little is said about Elisha until II Kings chapter 2, when Elijah is taken up to heaven. Three separate times in this passage Elijah tells Elisha to stay back, as he takes the journey he sent him on, and three separate times Elisha responded "as surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you." (II Kings 2:2, 4,6) In two of the towns they came to prophets said to Elisha, "'Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?' 'Yes, I know,' Elisha replied, 'so be quiet.'" It was after these exchanges that Elijah asked Elisha what he wanted from him. Elijah said he would only be granted his request of gaining a double portion of his spirit if he saw the Lord take Elijah up.

Several things about this story jump out at me. First, when Elijah threw his cloak on Elisha, Elisha could have stayed where he was. Elisha could have merely waited for Elijah to go to heaven, knowing that he was appointed to take his place. Instead, he became Elijah's servant, following him closely wherever he went, learning from his every move. Instead of waiting for an open position to be prophet, he spent his time learning from the man he respected. Second, he refused to leave Elijah's side. Too often in the church we see young people so eager to earn their place in leadership, that they will abandon the leaders they should be learning from. They use every outlet at their disposal to cut these men and women down and criticize their judgement, instead of having their back. Elisha stood by Elijah even when the journey was rough. Lastly, Elisha didn't entertain conversation from outsiders regarding Elijah. When they began gossiping about Elijah's future, his response was "be quiet". When we as young ministers hear negative commentary about our leaders; whether they be on a local, state, or international level we should be the one to end the conversation, not indulge it.

Because Elisha had done all this, his request for a double portion was granted. If we want the double portion, we have to put in the work on the front end. If we want successful ministries, we have to learn from those who have already been there. Instead of spending our time getting one another worked up about how things aren't fair and leaders are "out of touch", let's use this time while we wait to learn and grow, and become men and women who are worthy of the calling God has placed in us. 

A Case for Organized Religion

Last week I was recovering from having my wisdom teeth removed. In the days that followed I didn't feel like doing much but lying in bed, which meant I spent much more time watching television than I usually have time for. I came across a program on which two celebrities were discussing spirituality. They began to discuss how young people in today's culture avoid spiritual conversations because they hate organized religion. 

The very next day I read a report in USA Today about how 1 in 5 Americans no longer have a religious affiliation. The report said that partially to blame was the distaste for organized religion among young people. 

As I sat thinking about these things, and thinking about how I feel about organized religion, my eyes were drawn to a small postcard on my desk. It was from my pastor and his wife, Windell and Myrna Moore, letting me know that they were thinking of me following my procedure. This card matches the one that was given to me and my boyfriend after our first visit, telling us how special their day was made by us being there. And I realized, that this "organized religion" young people love to hate, is meant to be exactly what they need. 

Everyone, but the young especially, are looking to belong. They are looking for a family. Every time I go to my church, I am greeted by hugs and pats on the back and hand shakes. We are invited to participate as we would like, but never forced. We carry each others' burdens, and rejoice with one another in the good times. I realize that not everyone who has been exposed to church has gotten this treatment, but why haven't they? For the cost of a postcard, a stamp, and a few minutes to write, I was made to feel a part of something. 

This weekend I will be traveling to Louisville, KY for my church's General Assembly, a time when delegates from around the world gather together and worship. I will be surrounded by thousands, many of whom can't even speak my language, but we will treat each other like family. How blessed I am to be a part of such an organization. THIS is the type of organized religion I want the world to see. 

Girl Porn

I have to be honest with you all, there is a struggle that I find myself continually confronted with. I put this in the category of "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." This thing that has had such control over me is what I call "girl porn". It isn't pornography in the way that you would likely define it, but for millions of girls in their teens and twenties it is a serious problem. It is a major part of television programs (even the ones on during daytime programming) and all over magazine stands. The Internet is covered with it and social site Pinterest is a gateway for many.

Are you worried yet for these girls stumbling so easily into whatever this "girl porn" is? I'm about to describe it to you, so please don't be upset for the graphic nature of this. It's wedding planning material. Shocking, I know. And I know that to you tagging this material with the term "pornography" seems harsh, but for a lot of us, that is what it equates to. One definition of the word is "the depiction of acts in a sensational manner so as to arouse a quick intense emotional reaction." if that doesn't describe the relationship between aisle-bound girls and a picture of a Monique Lhuillier dress, I don't know what does.

My addiction began when I was in a relationship that I was sure was going to end in marriage. I convinced myself that I needed to have my preparations made BEFORE he proposed so I'd be ready. Whether that decision was made to save time during my pending engagement or whether it was merely a slightly more adult version of playing make believe, it became an extremely unhealthy habit. I was consumed with planning a wedding that wasn't even coming. Over the next 5 years I accumulated over 30 magazines and had spent hundreds of dollars and countless hours organizing. And in the end I was able to use all of that on my wedding and it was worth it. Oh wait, that's right, my perfect relationship ended and I never got married. And in the end those magazines were just a reminder of the hopes and dreams that fell apart.

 This past summer as I was preparing to talk at an all-girls retreat about my struggles with placing so much value on this, I saw the stack of magazines and it hit me, it was more than a habit or addiction, it was an idol. The Spirit directed me to Acts17:16-34.In this passage Paul had been in Athens and noticed the idols they worshipped. He begins a conversation with philosophers there and comments that one of the idols has an inscription reading, "to an Unknown god". I was in some manner worshipping an unknown god. I knew nothing of marriage, I just wanted a nice dress. I placed my heart and time and money at the feet of piece of fabric. And that resulted in jealousy, bitterness, and anger when it didn't work out. So how did it all turn out? I repented to the Lord for the fact that I worshipped an event instead of worshipping the One who created love, and relationship, and even marriage.

I presented my findings to the girls retreat, and found that many of them were facing the same struggle, and the honesty we shared with each other opened new doors of ministry. I passed on my wedding box to a young girl at the retreat who was recently engaged (pictured above), and inside of each magazine (yes, all thirty-something of them) I wrote Acts 17:28, "For in Him we live and move and exist" as a reminder that only He (with a capital H) can give us life; not a boyfriend, fiancé, husband, child, or career. I'm still unmarried, and while I can't say that I never struggle with those old emotions, I can say that they no longer rule my life. I share this embarrassing chapter of my life in the hopes that it will open the eyes of some of my young friends. There is nothing wrong with having hopes in the future, but let us not be consumed with thoughts of tomorrow, for it will take care of itself. Let us spend our time becoming the young women God would have us to be right now, instead of worrying about what will happen in the years to come.