This is great encouragement, Bill. Thank you for spurring on others, too!

Thank you for sharing, Rick. Wouldn’t it be great as dads and husbands if we had a quick reply that would give everything perspective? Something like, “Everyone, we’re missionaries… instead of being the rich people overseas in a poor village, we’re the poor people in America in a rich village. So let’s remember we’re on the toughest mission field out there – didn’t Jesus say how hard it would be for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of heaven?” Then our families would all pause, say something holy and profound, and we’d high-five each other, heading out into the mission field.

Meanwhile, little 12-year old Johnny next door just got a new car he can’t drive for four years while your 17-year old is riding a bike to work.

Man, I get it… I really do. I went out last night to take a local friend who can’t drive out to buy second-hand shoes. I realized that while our income brackets are different, we’re both “tight” this month. That’s the thing a realtor friend pointed out – that many homes in our neighborhood have people who are working two jobs just to keep them, but from the outside we only see the beautiful shells.

Years ago, my wife and I were in a much lower income bracket… for a long while. One of us (I won’t say who) turned to the other and said, “Surely God doesn’t expect us to be poor our whole lives, right?” The reply was, “Why not? What if that is His best plan for our lives… does He truly require us to be rich to live a life that matters… does He promise us we will be prosperous financially?” The irony was we’d just visited a church where the pastor’s wife had been on stage and complained how hard a week she’d had because the salon where she goes to have her nails done did it wrong, and “Now I have to go back.”

Again, wouldn’t it be great if there was a silver bullet of understanding? Take your family to serve the homeless, for example, so they can “get it.”

On the other hand, let me also add as a dad and husband that it’s as biblical for you to shift things around to care for your family as it is to care for the church. In fact, worth noting that God established the family institutionally before the Church – you can always find another congregation if you lose this one, but you can’t always find your family if they get lost. Consider what needs to shift on your end – if anything. I’m praying for you now in this.

Craig – I wish I could simply say the right words to help you feel differently. The reality is I also know this pain from a situation I was in years ago… different circumstances, but the same outcome – I was pushed out of a church that I had made on sacrifice after another for. Even worse, I was flopped into a position that seemed to be a nice action on the part of the senior pastor… when it only seemed to be more strategic for my exit. If it helps, I shared about it live, along with the perspective it gave me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uwen8moJnSg

As I said, though, different circumstances… but the same pain. I also found myself wanting to scrap my faith, wondering how some of the people who were to represent Christ the most seemed to represent Him the least. In fact, if you email me (tonymyles@hotmail.com) I have something that may offer perspective – reach out to me as you’re willing. I’d like to serve you.

And I also want to apologize on behalf of others in the Church who should, but haven’t. It can put you into a place where life strips you down and you begin to ask questions about who you are. Beware of trying to fill in the holes with your sense of what you felt you were owed… along with whatever your education, accomplishments, trophies, and references make you feel you deserve.

Instead, follow in the footsteps of the One who became nothing so that we could receive everything. Consider and appreciate how Jesus had the ultimate resume, and yet chose to think of Himself as a servant. He did absolutely nothing wrong, yet suffered the worst kind of evil… all so that true Resurrection would be possible. According to the reactions He received and what He said, I imagine the conversation if it took place today would likely go like this: “You are plan A. There is no plan B. I understand that some of you are struggling to have faith in Me, even though I’m standing in front of you Resurrected from the dead. If you don’t have the kind of faith in the Church that you know is needed, let Me have faith in it on your behalf. One day, you’ll be with Me together in the Perfect Church in the Kingdom to come. For now, this imperfect world will only allow an imperfect version of that. Follow Me?”

I hope you email me, so we can keep chatting and I can serve you. Praying for you today, Craig.