by alex | Feb 22, 2012 | BE ______
I am talking to a friend, who tells me that her dad, a Pastor, has finally decided to retire. I’m surprised. He’s been there as long as I can remember. I want to check just how long that is, and ask the question. ‘Oh, 16 years,’ she replies. ‘Someone told him that if he worked in military services he’d have earned himself a loyalty medal by now!’ I think about this and the people I know who attend his church. It’s not a big congregation. It’s not full of wealthy tithers. There’s never been a big fancy building to meet in. But for all those 16 years, the people there have never doubted their Pastor’s commitment. He’s been available through thick and thin, helping others out when they needed it, sharing his home, food, and love with all the members of their extended ‘church family’. I realise how rare that sort of commitment is in our world today. If we don’t like our job after the first few months, we get a new one. If our University degree is too hard, too boring, or inconvenient, we change it or leave. If the person we chose to marry seems not such a great catch after a couple of years, well, that’s ok – we can always get a divorce. Even our loyalty to brands and products is pretty fluid … if something is cheaper, has a better ad, or our friends are using it then we’ll make the switch from existing to new in search of better quality, satisfaction, or status. Finding a person with commitment ingrained into their character...
