Sometimes in life the problem is people and sometimes the problem is simply the problem. The problem with us is that too often we take out the problem out on the people. I am learning a life lesson today. Here is a nugget I am learning that I hope will help you along your journey.
When we don't want to deal with a problem we fail to deal correctly with people.
Often in life a problem is brought to us and we simply don't want to deal with it. We might even feel that legitimately we don't have time to deal with it. One of my life issues is that I rarely can say I don't have time to deal with it. When you are a leader you have to deal with problems on life's calendar not yours. When you are frustrated with a problem you must always remember that no matter how little you think the problem really matters the person matters greatly.
This evening I will ask someone for grace because in dealing with a problem I failed to deal with the person. I even got to the bottom of the problem and provided what was a workable solution. And I thought all was good because I did good, but truthfully I failed completely. The call of my life, as a Christ-follower and as a pastor, is not simply to get the job done and the problem solved. My calling is to show people who Jesus is and Jesus is not the changer of problems. He is the changer of people.
So next time the problem walks in your door stop and remember that a problem did not just walk in…a person did.
(I ask that you might pray for the conversation I need to have tonight. I believe the person I am talking with might need to see the authenticity of Jesus and maybe…just maybe…my sovereign Lord can use my problems and shortcomings to show himself as real. You just never know.)
