September 28, 2010
1 Timothy 3
Pastor Luke Lang
I looked down at my screaming 5-year-old daughter. She was clearly upset. We were at SeaWorld enjoying a blistering hot Texas summer day, and Delanie had just been told that she couldn’t ride the “Screaming Tuna.” She was about an inch below the height requirement. So we did what many well-meaning parents do to pacify a kid who is hot and distraught…we gave in. We ran to Wal-Mart and bought a pair of 3-inch wedgie sandals. Suddenly Del experienced a miraculous (?) growth spurt and was able to ride the Screaming Tuna!
In 1 Timothy 3, Paul gives leaders some pretty substantial requirements. He makes it VERY clear that “with great power comes great responsibility” (thank you Spiderman!)
The problem is that many leaders try to do the same thing that we did at SeaWorld. They try to meet the standards by propping themselves up with hype, talent or charisma. Yet what’s at stake is much bigger than a ride at an amusement park. God demands integrity (notice I said “demands,” not “suggests” or even “desires”).
Are we the same when the spotlight is off and no one is watching? Is our private devotion the same as our public passion? I have to continually ask myself: am I real, or propping myself up to look like I reach the mark? What would my wife and daughter tell people about my walk with Christ?
It’s heavy stuff…but if we don’t make integrity an issue, it WILL BECOME an issue!
Did you know? Pastor Luke formerly worked as a disc jockey at college radio stations in Claremore, OK and Blacksburg, VA.
