I used to get pretty uptight on Sunday mornings or during special programs until I learned to identify the idols of my heart.
I thought all I wanted was for things to go smoothly, but too often my deeper motives were about my reputation or how I wanted the service or program to be perceived. I had to learn to identify the idols of my heart. When I did, it was wonderfully liberating.
Many times I have burned the valuable time I could have been spending with my family trying to get some piece of technology, video, or sound equipment to work. Everything usually worked fine until Sunday.
Things turned around for me when I learned to trust the Lord with all the things that I was blessed to tend for His sake. I began to think like a steward rather than an owner. I have learned to catch myself when fear of what others think of me is motivating me. I have learned to trust that in God’s sovereign plan, things will not always appear to go smoothly. I can rest in the knowledge that He is still in control and learn to defuse my destructive but subtle motivations.
Of course, the new livestream setup worked fine on Monday and again on Saturday when you tested it. Should we be surprised that if something is going to go on the fritz, it’s going to be on the Lord’s Day? One of the best things I’ve learned to do in those moments is to remind myself who owns it all. Then I remind Him and pray.
Once I learned to do that, it became easier to discern when it was time to go home and enjoy being a dad and a husband.
Lord, your livestream is acting up again…
Things still happen. But when it does, I say what I’m thinking out loud with the sound and video techs listening because I don’t want them to feel stressed for me. In those moments, I remind myself and those around me that it all belongs to the Lord.
You may have a worship problem.
Seeking the respect of others is natural, but it can cloud your judgment. If the new technology you’ve advocated for isn’t working, it’s understandable to feel disappointed about how it reflects on you. Your frustration in those moments may be an indication that enjoying the respect of others has become too important to you. When pleasing the Lord becomes your primary concern, these frustrations will stop stealing your joy.
It doesn’t make sense to hurt the ones you love.
Sometimes this counseling process involves tracing patterns of irrational responses. At the root of those regretful behaviors, we often discover the lies we have been believing buried deep in our thinking. Let us walk with you as you learn to think differently. We anticipate that this journey will help you to enjoy ministry more than you ever have before.