Recently, I was talking with Bro. Tyler about one of the most important concepts to develop as a pastor based upon Pro. 22:3- the idea of spiritual trajectory.
Basically, the idea that taking heed to your own soul and those whom we shepherd as a pastor requires the ability to discern what decisions say about ourselves and what they say about where we are headed.
Heeding God's truth as the absolute authority in matters allows us to consult it regarding our current situation and ask ourselves about where my current choices are taking me in the future.
Solomon makes it clear to us that today's choices determine tomorrow's decisions, destinations, and consequences. These consequences can be good or bad, enjoyable or grieving, eternal or temporal, etc.
What is prominent in the verse is the need for introspection, reflection, and proactivity based upon the former two.
Hear it...neutrality is a myth in our spiritual and temporal lives. Failure to recognize this truth creates small ripples in my life that become waves in years to come.
Let me attempt to illustrate it in a silly, maybe relatable way.
You have a hard day (for whatever reason) and are feeling stressed, so you decide to stop to get a milkshake. Do you know better? Sure...but just once. Next week, it happens again, but the nagging thought of, "This is not a helpful way to deal with this mentally, emotionally, spiritually, or physically." seems a little less pronounced.
A few weeks later, the pants seem to fit differently...but you have moved on to two shakes a week.
Exercising seems an even more difficult task or distant thought. When you have to buy new pants, the reality of what has been taking place sinks in a bit heavier.
Even at that crossroads moment, your trajectory can change for the better, though it may be more difficult than it was weeks or months before.
Friends, we are constantly and consistently pulled on by our flesh and the devil to "let off" faith-based decisions every day. Those faith-based choices of obedience manifest themselves in the structure of our week and intentionality in our relationships. The structure of our week and intentionality with others demonstrate our trajectory.
Often, we reduce these to "have to habits"...I have to read my Bible, I better pray, if I miss a service pastor will text me, I should talk with my kids, I ought to give to my church for the Gospel, I should take time with my spouse...we can lose the heart behind the habit.
When this happens, our trajectory starts to alter.
We have reasons for it- I want my kid to play this sport, I have to get this promotion, I just need me time, I shouldn't have to give my time up for that, etc.
Please hear me...your trajectory is changing from the eternal to the temporal implicitly.
Before we identify it in others and dismiss it about ourselves, let me pause to say that being "in the people business" the past 20 years has shown me how often it is the small choices, over time, that lead men, women, marriages, families, churches, and nations away from God's desire for them.
Each step does not seem that egregious in the moment and seems acceptable...but it is the long-term destination (and used up years) that concern me about myself, my family, and those I serve in our congregation.
In 15 years of being a lead pastor, I have watched people go from enjoying their walk with Christ and being on board with His mission through their church to barely in church while passionate about this temporal realm.
I have seen great marriages become cohabitations.
I have seen spiritually minded families chase fulfillment through what the culture tells them is needed or best for their child- sports, grades, hobbies, experiences, etc.
I have seen committed church members who once used their gifts, practiced the one anothers, evangelized others, and pursued Jesus' desire become "Christians" who are around but in ways that do not inconvenience them.
The craziest, and perhaps most frustrating part of these moments is that they rarely think they have "changed that much".
How do we regulate this?
-"Search me, O God..." was David's plea in an honest, transparent, obedient way.
-Invite someone...talk to your pastors, spouse, or other church member about what they see positively or negatively about your trajectory.
-Invest in someone...taking time to practice the Titus 2 cycle in your church will keep your attention sharp and your heart tender about your trajectory.
-Invoke charity...this is not a critical, judgy, letter of the law attitude but a willingness to love others (including yourself) in a manner God calls us to- proactively and personally.
How is your trajectory?
Where will you be in one year?
How will your marriage be in two years?
How will your church be better in three years?
Today is the day to foresee the evil
Serving together,
Pastor Paul