Several months ago, one of my staff members sat in my
office. He shared with me how an older pastor had offended him with unkind
words.
I tried to encourage him. I don’t remember exactly what I
said. But it went something like this: “Don’t worry about it. Older preachers
have a way of… us younger preachers.”
Staff member’s response: “Did you say, ‘Us young
preachers?’”
Ouch.
He was right. I am not young anymore.
Today is my 39th birthday.
I have been a pastor for more than 21 years. I have been
married to my wife, Crystal, whom I met in high school, for more than 13 years.
I am the father of three children. Two of them are preteens. Teens! And, of
course, my three-year-old, Hailey, is already a grandmother.
I am not a young man anymore. People call me “sir” when I
go into stores. When did I become a sir? Historical events that shaped my youth
happened decades ago. I cannot stand that music those young people seem to like
these days.
I am not a young man anymore. And when I start to forget
it, it seems that my body is now first in line to remind me.
Okay, Okay. I am not a young man anymore.
But I am still a young preacher.
I remember when I was in my late teens and early
twenties, people used to say, “Just imagine what of preacher this boy is going
to be when he gets thirty-five!” Well, that time has come and gone. When I
finished preaching, older preachers used to say, “It has not yet appeared what
this young man shall be.” I cannot tell you the last time I heard that.
I know that I am not a young preacher anymore.
Translation: I am no longer a rookie! I
have been preaching since I was eleven. I have been a pastor since I was
seventeen. It takes a lot to shock me at this point. I have been there, done
that, and have the commemorative hat, t-shirt, and coffee mug!
But this older man is still a young preacher. That is, I
am still a growing preacher.
I am more excited about following the Lord Jesus Christ
as I have ever been. I love the word of God more than ever! Studying it and
preaching it seems to take years off of my life! I am still in awe of the fact
that get to pastor the people of God. I feel like that eighteen-year-old who
couldn’t believe that as pastor he would get to preach every Sunday. Every
Sunday! Twice!
I am convinced that still have so much to learn. No one
has heard by best preaching yet. I have gifts that the Lord is still developing
in me. My vision is broadening and my focus is narrowing. There are doors I
prayed would be open ten years ago that I am only now ready to walk through.
God is not through with me yet!
I often tease that I am looking forward to becoming a
cynical old preacher. But the very opposite is happening in my life. They used
to call me an old young preacher. I trust they will call be a young old
preacher. Get it?
The last time that staff member reminded me that I was
not a young preacher anymore, I informed him that this old man would out grow
him and the rest of his ilk over the course of this year.
God willing, may it be so.
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart
of wisdom.” – Moses (Psalm 90:12)
