Almost Famous

In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

- 1 John 4:17-18

I was walking down a hallway of our church when I met up with a faithful member of our church and a core member in the Volunteer Work Experience Program of our Special Needs Ministry. He's a conscientious worker in our cafeteria, week in and week out, and is especially gifted in customer service. Right then he was finishing up his day cleaning the windows with focused attention, but as I crossed his path his welcoming eyes called out to me with the kind of contact that unusually draws you away from a world accustomed to averting glances of withdrawal and rejection.  

I introduced myself as the new Lead Pastor of our Special Needs Ministry. "Oh" he said with a deep breath of exhilaration. "You're the new pastor!" eyes growing wider with each carefully pronounced word. We cheerfully talked about his work and contributing roles in the life of our church, and he was full of enthusiasm as he shared how he was participating in the mission of God. He will be joining our Short-Term Missions trip to Mexico, giving his time to advocacy work for people with disabilities, which will include some public speaking engagements. 

The director of our Volunteer Work Experience Program had dropped in on our conversation and asked him, "aren't you afraid to speak in front of others?" He looked a little puzzled by the pointless question. "No" he said unquestioningly, changing the subject, perhaps not realizing that most of the world is more frightened by the prospect of public speaking than by death.

Though, perhaps, it's not public speaking so much as public "judgement" that threatens us, which is why he lacks the fear that plagues most - he doesn't cast judgement and generously assumes others hold the same "do not judge or you to will be judged" ethos, after all, "in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7:1,2)

Later that day I bumped into our Director of Food Services. "Dallas" he said with a smile,"he (the man I had met cleaning windows) just told me, 'Guess who I just met? The new pastor!'" Our laughter filled the air and grounded me again. "I thought he had just met a rock star" he said, shaking his head. "How's that for an introduction", I thought to myself. 

 

I had been trying so hard to earn people's trust and approval with my new leadership position. This would be a year where I could prove myself, I was told. Interestingly enough, it was that pressure to succeed that was holding me back. Shouldn't he also evaluate my core competencies first, before rolling out the red carpet? After all, what if I let him down and fail this ministry. 

That may be the spirit of the age and how the organizational structures of the world operate, but his unconditional acceptance reminded me that's not how how God calls His adopted children to relate to each other as a much-beloved family. The fear of failure, betrayal and judgment hadn't even crossed his mind, apparently. On that note I made my decision and accepted his invitation to celebrate our life together amidst God's gracious and inviting love.