Times of discouragement can come easily sometimes for those of us in the ministry. This post is edited and reprinted from my personal blog from August 2007.
Keep Your Chin Up
My grandfather used to tell me that all the time. What I know now is that he, of all people in my life had a unique perspective and ability to say that to me. He was a man who never complained, never talked badly about anyone else, and always could find something encouraging to say, even when he was giving a lecture.
You see, my grandfather graduated class of 1928 from a small high school outside Birmingham, Alabama. Shortly after he got out of high school, the nation was deep in the grip of what we now know as the Great Depression. You know the stories, you’re aware of how tight money was, how scarce jobs were. So my grandfather learned a trade; he became a welder, a good one. How did he do that? He kept his chin up. He and my grandmother were married in 1931. A tough time to start a family. How did they do it? He kept his chin up.
We hear the word “entitlement” in our culture all too often and for the most part it carries a bad connotation, that somehow we deserve a path that is easy. My grandfather never felt he was entitled to anything. He worked hard and trusted God and sought to please Him first and knew that everything else would take care of itself. He knew that a life that pleased God first was a life that would prosper, despite what others felt about it. But many of us allow the slightest setbacks in our lives cause us to let our chins drop. Could it be that because of the sacrifice of so many to give us the life and culture we enjoy today, we ourselves feel that sense of entitlement to an easy life?
Let’s face it, when we are in the people business, in the ministry, there are people who are not always going to like what you do and how you do it. The songlist was not to their liking, the guitars were too loud, you should do more hymns, you should do fewer hymns. You know what I’m talking about. Because we have a need, as artists, to be appreciated, it’s easy to switch our focus from pleasing God to pleasing people. Marshall Shelley, in his book, “Well Intentioned Dragons” talks about the issue of ministering to and with difficult people in the church. I recommend that you read it!
Our soul has an enemy. One who would love to destroy us. Basic military strategy mandates that to see the enemy, we have to be looking for him. With our chin up. Not with our heads hung in defeat.
Psalm 3 reads this way:
O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side. Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.
My grandfather understood this passage. I watched him all my life as he allowed the Lord to be his strength. I know he had the chance to be discouraged many times. He managed a team of welders and pipefitters and I know he had to make some unpopular, hard decisions. Leaders have to do that sometimes. When we lead to please God, He will be pleased.
Great depression may come your way. Great hardship may be in your future. But . . . the Lord brings His glory and He can give you the strength to Keep Your Chin Up.
