The following post comes from Joye Jackson of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware.
I recently read a quote that said, “Don’t try to stop a train with your bare hands.” I thought this was hysterical. Okay, so I do have an odd sense of humor, but I love the image and the message…to know what you are up against before you throw yourself up against it.
I love my garden. It isn’t the biggest or prettiest or best producing garden, but it is my place just to be me. God and I sort out my troubles and the world’s woes while planting or pulling weeds. Unfortunately, my Rottweiler neighbor also likes my little garden. It makes a soft landing place as he launches himself over the chain link fence to get reacquainted with our little Westie or deposit gifts in the backyard. I’ve tried several approaches to my dilemma—talking to the neighbor, setting up extra barriers; nothing has worked and my tomato bushes have paid a heavy price.
One morning I saw the large hairy beast parading across my yard once again. Something within me welled up and I found myself chasing after him. I wanted him out—NOW! When I caught up to him, I found him bounding around in the garden, but now the barriers that were supposed to keep him out were keeping him in. I (unwisely) decided to grab for his collar in order to drag him home. It wasn’t until I felt my hands close in around the muscular roll of his neck that I realized he wasn’t wearing a collar. Yikes! Now I had a Rottweiler by the neck and I was a little afraid to let go. He looked every bit as stunned as I was. I yelled one final, “OUT!” Then I let go and stepped back to look as large as possible, pointing authoritatively across the fence. He propelled himself over both barrier and fence and has completely avoided looking at me since.
Every church plant has its own weeds and an occasional big, hairy, slobbery Rottweiler. Do not attempt to stop a train, or a Rottweiler for that matter, with your bare hands. First, someone (a person with proper authority) needs to assess the situation. Next, use the correct tools (a breaking system, a leash and collar, scriptural church discipline) to get a handle on the situation before action is taken. Then, if the proper people take appropriate action, disaster can be averted.
Plants need a little time and attention to recover and bear fruit. The extra effort required makes them more precious to all.
2 John 1: 8-9 (NIV) “Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”
