SIXTHGEN.COM
  • Blog
  • About
    • Sixth Generation
    • Jeff Cloeter
    • If you're not a Christian . . .
    • Contact
  • Loved & Sent
    • Get The Book
    • Endorsements
    • The Stories
    • My Children's Book
  • The Daily Pattern
Picture
sixthgen
​

pastoral publishing in the 21st century

The Next Big Challenge

4/28/2020

5 Comments

 
Picture
There are numerous challenges in this pandemic.  Medical.  Economic.  Educational.  Political.  With plans for re-entry slowly unfolding, I see a bigger underlying challenge:  People. 
People are thinking about how they will transition to a new normal, and I’ve already seen the tension.  Fear, anger, and arrogance will exacerbate the health and financial hurdles we’re already facing. 
 
There are different views about the right course of action.  Some say, “They can’t tell me what do to.  I’ll do what I want.  It’s my right!”  Others say, “I’m not going out for two years.  And if you do, you’re wrong!" 
 
St. Paul gives us a helpful posture as we all prepare to reenter.  (Phil. 2:3-4)
In humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” 
In a crisis, it’s easy to think only of yourself.  Self preservation and survival are human defaults.  We ask, “What about me?  What about my rights?  What about my future?” 
 
Humility is when it’s not about you.  Or, it’s not about you first.  We ask, “What about them?  What about his rights?  What about her future?  What do they need?”
 
As we begin to return, I ask you to do it with humility.  Christian humility says, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.  Just because you have the right, doesn’t mean it’s right.”  
 
“Consider the interests of others.”  It’s one thing to be healthy, financially secure, and able to work from home.  Consider:
 
Those most vulnerable to the virus.
Those disproportionally affected by health and economic factors.
Those who have to go to work in high risk places. 
Those who live in densely populated urban centers.
Those who live in rural and agricultural regions. 
Those overlooked and left behind.
 
Be safe.
Be wise.
Be patient.
Be gracious.
Be humble enough to “consider the interests of others.” 

​Philippians 2:1-11
5 Comments
Ted
4/28/2020 08:50:29 am

Amen Pastor - The next trail we walk will be as significant as the last - Thank you Lord for the opportunities you provide us to be Your hands and feet!

Reply
Elfriede
4/28/2020 10:47:16 am

Agree with TED 100%, couldn’t have said it better ❤️ To all our staff!

Reply
craig a baker
4/28/2020 04:30:51 pm

r we going to have church may 10th

Reply
Sofia
4/28/2020 10:40:23 pm

Humbled by your message.
I’ll share with my little group of fiends that meet twice a week for short devotional prayer.
Thank you 🙏🏽

Reply
Kory link
4/29/2020 02:47:03 pm

Thank you for an insightful post, Jeff. I'm actually preaching on Philippians on Wednesdays and I'm going to reference this in my message tonight. Once again, well said and thank you

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    JOIN My Tribe
    Subscribe and receive exclusive updates and free resources.



    Categories

    All
    Bible
    Church
    Culture
    Current Events
    Devotional
    Education
    Family
    Images
    Leadership
    Marriage
    Men
    Mission
    Money
    Poetry
    Prayer
    Preaching
    Quotebaord
    Quoteboard
    Random Things Tour
    Sabbath
    Service
    Stories
    World

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from weisserstier, adamnsinger, gunman47
  • Blog
  • About
    • Sixth Generation
    • Jeff Cloeter
    • If you're not a Christian . . .
    • Contact
  • Loved & Sent
    • Get The Book
    • Endorsements
    • The Stories
    • My Children's Book
  • The Daily Pattern