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But he turned
and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! NRS Matthew 16:23
I have wondered from time to time why Jesus rebuked Peter and did not rebuke Judas. Oh, I understand the whole thing about Judas having to betray Jesus in order to fulfill scripture. I am okay with the whole concept that Jesus was both divine and human. But, as a human, I have to ask, “Why let someone start a series of events that will lead to your death?” It is a struggle in thought which I am not sure I will ever resolve to my satisfaction. A similar question arises when I think about actions taken by parents toward their children. When I had children at home, I wondered at times why I thought it was okay for them to do something one day and not the next. I am sure it was confusing for them. Sometimes my decisions were made because of the way I felt that day. Sometimes decisions were made because of the way they presented their case. Other times, well, who knows? As I look back, I wish I had been a little more like Mark Twain when he said, “If the boy wants to carry the cat home by the tail, I say, let him. Chances are he will never carry the cat home that way again.” Too often we make decisions for people when, in the long run, it would be better to let them make whatever decision they make. There can be a fine line between decisions made that will benefit and decisions made that will harm. Unfortunately, the person(s) with the power to make the decision often makes it for his or her own convenience, rather than for what is best in the long run. Church boards do this and it can become one cog in the wheel of decline. Boards want and need people to serve on committees. Yet when a committee brings a new or radical idea to a board for approval, the board may vote it down. This is a huge mistake when one of two conditions exist: 1. The committee has invested significant amounts of time and energy to bring the idea to the board. When people in power reject or change committee work, too frequently people will stop serving on committees. Soon the nominating committee begins to wonder why they can’t get anyone to serve. Then the board starts acting even more like a committee and even more people refuse to do the work. 2. When people have a great deal of emotional investment in an idea and the board rejects or ignores it, a mistake is usually made. When this happens people tend to resent the control levied by a board. They feel much like a child who wants to do something with all their heart and the parent says no. A child can’t simply leave and find another parent. But, church members can and do find churches that enable ministry instead of hindering it. Making decisions about other people is
difficult at best. Somehow Jesus knew when to say no and when to
let it happen. We would do well to learn the same. These two
things I know: First, rather than say no, there are times we should postpone
a decision until the next meeting. This gives people time to think
about the recommendation. Often people come back ready to receive
the idea. Sometimes someone comes back with a slight adjustment that
enables everyone to accept the idea. Second, we can make wrong decisions
when we think other people’s negative comments mean they are dissatisfied
with something. Do not mistake grumbling for dissatisfaction.
Grumbling is okay. We all need to grumble.
Dawn Breaker #84:
When I ask someone to do ministry or a job, give him or her the power to
do it.
"There are a number of
guidelines I try to follow in life and ministry. I find that when I follow
them, situations sometimes become like the rising of the sun. There
is a luminous glow turning to great light, and occasionally, inspiration.
When I don't follow these adopted guidelines, they sometimes become Don
breakers, making life frustrating at best. I do not suggest
you should live by all the principles I choose for my life. If they
are helpful for you, make them your own. They work for me."
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