We always imagine it will be someone else. The dire diagnosis, the divorce, the job termination, the wayward child, the natural disaster, the sudden death, etc. When it hits home, it’s will test anyone’s faith to the limits. God’s “good” plans for us includes temporary tragedies along the way. But that is all they are: Temporary. In the end, His plan is for our good...if we are His children.
When George came to us, he was not one of God’s children. Yet he was an assistant pastor. There was a streak of spiritual arrogance about him. That’s typical of people caught up in Religion, but missing a Relationship with Jesus. George’s strongpoint was a sharp mind. He had finished high school, so he was a step beyond many of our Pastors and Ministry Leaders. But such gifting, abilities and strengths can become double weaknesses if left unguarded. And therein lay George’s Achilles’ heel. He offended more than he convinced. He challenged before contemplating. And this left him with an aura of haughtiness.
At the same time, George was inherently lazy. As an able bodied single young man, he had every opportunity and obligation to be self-supporting...and supporting others. Instead, George chose the road most traveled. “Working” in ministry was the easy road out. He was given enough church support to survive...and then simply idled his time away. Church sponsored “School of Ministry” programs are full of such characters. Able-bodied young “adults”...who have never worked a full time secular job, lived on their own or made their own bed. Just the kind of “Pastors and Ministry Leaders” we can help. By not “helping” as they like.
After just one week in the Bible School, something captivated Pastor George. It was the Word of God. No greater tool does God put in our hands than His Word
“For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give Account.”
By the second semester, there was a tremendous change in George. First, he became a true Christian. He was “born again.” Jesus testified that nothing less will garner our entry into His kingdom. Then Pastor George dug deep into God’s Word. Finding answers to lifelong questions...and challenges to lifelong sins. It was the “work” thing that stumbled George the most...From his perspective, “Why should I work an outside job if the church supports me enough to live on?” The answer is quite simple: Work is a Command, not a suggestion. There is an inherent spiritual element and application to work. It involves righteous submission to “the Curse,” the course of Obedience, the discipline of the flesh and so many essentials of our Faith. I reminded him...
“God never commanded us to be ‘employed.’ He commanded us to Work, not to be paid. If you can’t find employment, you still have to Work. If you don’t need the money, you still have to Work. Give the money to someone who can’t.”
By God’s grace, George gave it a try. He learned a trade: installing window glass. Such work can be found in Nairobi, if you are diligent and persevering. It’s piecemeal work. It’s self-employment. You have to find the work. It will not come to you. All the ingredients Pastor George needed were there. By God’s design.
I knew change had come when I found George at our Bible School construction site many years ago. We had invited all the Pastors and Ministry Leaders to assist with the construction. Amongst our Pastors, we have welders, carpenters, painters and all sorts of laborers. Many took off from their jobs to lend a hand. George came as well.
“Brother Paul, I want to install all the glass for the Bible School.”
I was impressed. It was a very big job: 120 jalousie window tracks, and 360 individually cut glass panels. But he went even further.
“If you can just provide the tracks,I will provide all the glass and install everything.This is my gift to the Bible School.”
This was no small thing. This was huge! George finished the task at the Bible School. His finished product was excellent. After that, Pastor George became one of our most consistent and faithful volunteers. Every week he arrived early and stayed late; setting up, cleaning, organizing the Bible School. All the while continuing his own studies, his church ministry and his window glass work “outside.”
As George applied the Word of God to his life, the fruit in his life spoke volumes in the slum communities. Instead of being a “receiver,” George was now a Giver.
His business expanded into aluminum sash window installations in high-end communities. Then God blessed him with a wonderful Christian wife.
It wasn’t all peaches and cream. He and his wife endured several miscarriages, emergency surgeries and church scandals. Throughout it all, Pastor George stood on the Word...and plodded forward. We had many tearstained chats as the challenges of “real life” pressed in time and time again. George struggled with the seeming contradiction of his own Obedience and the continual Challenges of life. After prolonged sanctification, obedience and faithfulness, we often fall prey to a spirit of “deserved expectation.” An attitude that we merit God’s blessings, favor and mercy. We never do. Not even a little bit.
As Christians, God does not insulate us from the trials, tribulations and sufferings of this fallen world. He didn’t do it for His Son. He won’t do it for us. Truth be told, we should expect more tribulations than unbelievers. After all, the ruler of this world is Satan. And he will exert every power, authority and influence he has to oppress, harass, discourage and tempt us. God limits Satan’s authority and abilities...but God will not unjustly favor us...nor unjustly disfavor the unsaved...
“But I say to you, love your enemies... that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Pastor George graduated from the DSM Bible Institute in 2012. Since that time, he married, had 2 children, served in 2 different churches, balanced secular work, ministry and family day in and day out, year in and year out. My greatest joy has been seeing George stand firm when the world pressed in. He found that having Jesus brought every Eternal advantage...and just as many Temporal Trials. Tribulations and tests that will not cease until the moment of our death. Then the second verse (quoted earlier) will explode on the scene...
“And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give Account.”
A few weeks ago, I got the call. Pastor George was taken for Account. Taken suddenly, without notice, without a prayer, without a last chance to “get right” with God. He was instantly killed in a road accident. Leaving behind a young family, a church ministry and a thriving business with 5 employees. In the twinkling of an eye, our brother found himself in the throne room of God, at the seat of Judgment. To give Account.
It’s a sobering reminder of...How current our Preparation must remain. How we cannot pick and choose what Commands we obey. How never to Presume upon the next hour. How real our Relationship with Jesus must be.
And how not to get in the way of someone’s Sanctification. If we had sponsored Pastor George for $50 a month*, we would have ruined him. And his blood would be on my hands.
We all will give Account...in the twinkling of an eye.
*DSM sponsors Bible School fees. Not income.
