I don't trust ministry leaders anymore. I've seen too many leaders who have lived a double life. Here are a few examples. I'm not going to name names, but do want you to understand where I am coming from.
Example one - a pastor at one of the largest churches in the country living his life as a total hypocrite. How bad was it? He would speak at a national conference and in between his teaching times, he would go back to his office and have sex with an underage girl.
Example two - another mega church pastor. Very influential. Hosted international leadership conferences. Then it comes to light that he has been inappropriate with staff members and church members for years.
Example three - a highly respected Christian apologist who was also a sexual predator and pervert in his spare time.
Example four - a young, nationally known pastor who was leading a church in one of the most influential cities in the world - turns out he had been having an affair for months while still trying to pastor.
Example five - an extremely gifted Christian leader who has walked away from the necessity of the Gospel and now believes and preaches that all roads lead to the same destination.
Example six - a gifted teacher of kids who decided he was a she and is now proud to be a gay, transgender woman.
Example seven - a children's ministry volunteer that I know. Last week, his mug shot was posted on the internet. He is being charged with soliciting a child for sex. How old was the child? A two-year-old who was being trafficked for sex. Yes, you read that correctly. Two-years-old. How sick and perverted.
Example eight - another volunteer that I served with. Now in jail for molesting a middle school child. It happened at a very prominent church.
Example nine - a very gifted and upcoming preacher. Out of ministry - had an affair.
Example ten - a female intern who was secretly a lesbian and had sex with the pastor's underage daughter.
Example eleven - a nationally known evangelical pastor in Florida with a church membership of 25,000. Resigned due to committing adultery with numerous women. He was also publicly accused of molesting a four-year-old child.
Example twelve - a pastor who built a great church - but at the same time he was regularly getting drunk. He was fired because of this.
And on and on and on the list could continue.
Now do you see why my trust in people has waned over the years?
I've seen too much happen. Been burned by too many people I looked up to and admired. Seems like leaders who can keep their pants zipped up are a rare commodity these days.
But something good has come as a result of the shortcomings I listed above.
I don't trust anyone. And this causes me to run to Jesus. The one person I can completely trust.
Remember Proverbs 3:5-6?
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and
lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."
People will let you down. People will do things that shock you. People will shatter the trust that you have placed in them.
You will get burned. But at the end of the day it all comes down to this - KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS.
Jesus is perfect. He will never fail you. He will never let you down.
Hebrews reminds us of this. Look what it says.
"We do this by KEEPING OUR EYES ON JESUS, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne."
I love the words to this old hymn.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
Turn your eyes to the hillside
Where justice and mercy embraced
There the Son of God gave His life for us
And our measureless debt was erased.
Jesus, to You we lift our eyes
Jesus, our glory and our prize
We adore You, behold You, our Savior ever true
Oh Jesus, we turn our eyes to You.
Turn your eyes to the morning
And see Christ the Lion awake
What a glorious dawn, fear of death is gone
For we carry His life in our veins.
Our King will return for His own
Every knee will bow, every tongue will shout,
‘All glory to Jesus alone!’
Remember this - the enemy will try to use moral failures of others to discourage you. He will try to use the shortcomings of others to leave you disheartened. Proceed with discernment.
At the end of the day - Jesus is the only person who will not let you down. Walk in the steadfastness of His character and love. Keep....keep...keep your eyes on Him.
He is the only person who is completely trustworthy.
Don't trust anyone else.
