The Word On The Street

I am sure that most everyone has heard the expression, "the word on the street." It is a way of saying what people are talking about, and it sounds so much better than saying what they are gossiping about! Truth is, people will talk and it isn't always gossip. That word gossip carries a negative, even menacing sort of connotation. When someone gossips they either intend to hurt someone or they don't really care if they do. It is hard to understand how a Christian could ever be so calloused as to do such a thing, and yet, sometimes, we do.

Now, as I said, people will talk. My caution is simply this, is what I am talking about gossip? Could it be hurtful to someone or is it being given with a careless disregard for the feelings of others? If you have to say yes to either of those questions, then why are you talking about it in the first place?

I heard a friend say once about a mutual acquaintance, "When that fellah dies, there won't be one secret in the casket with him!" The reason that is true is this man never seemed to think it was wrong to "share" whatever came his way. He never seemed to ask those two questions I posed earlier.

Spurgeon, in speaking to his ministerial students, once commented that every minister needed a "blind eye and a deaf ear." Yes, there is always going to be a "word on the street," but it may be wisdom to turn a deaf ear to it.

The Strength Of Weak Times

Yesterday had all the makings of a train wreck. I don't really know why, but I just had a sense of foreboding as I left my office for the Sunday morning service. The attendance was down, and some of the most personally uplifting people in the church were not present. On top of all that, I was not all that confident of my sermon. I also have a real antagonist who just seems to glare at me through most of the services. I can almost read this disgruntled church member's mind. The usual message is "How long is this going to take?"

Now, that hardly sets the stage for a great message, and I am the last one to ask if one of my messages approaches greatness, but to use the biblical phrase, I delivered my soul. I really think it was a direct answer to prayer. After the service I recalled Paul's statement in 2 Corinthians 12:10 which says in part, "For when I am weak, then I am strong." I got some of the most sincere compliments on that message that I have ever received. I walked back to the parsonage thinking, it really must have ministered to people.

Now, why had I been so down beforehand? Some might suggest it was the work of the Devil, and they might be right. I prefer to think it was a lesson from the Lord. Just because I am not doing all that great, it doesn't mean the Lord can't use what is sincerely offered. That is also an illustration that in spite of the fact that I am the one standing the pulpit, it really isn't about me. Maybe those that were blessed saw more of the Lord and less of me. I hope so.