"Logging," a mini-sermon by Pastor Esther Pfeifer

EQUIPPING SAINTS FOR THE JOURNEY

 Scripture verse: "And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?" (Mathew 7:3 NLT)

 The above is one of my favorite scriptures; it can also be found in Luke 6:41-45. We all have that tendency toward hypocrisy because it is far easier to look at others closely than it is to look in the mirror. I try my best to be a good "logger" because mine is the only "eyesore" that I have any control over. Yet, when we anticipate our own "logs" or look too carefully at the areas in our lives needing improvement, we can get a bit negative. Jesus did not mean for this to happen, but instead gave us this advice in order to move us out of our self-righteousness, and into doing good for others. There is nothing more powerful than having God give us a little push, or a big shove, sometimes to our humility.

 Yes, we all have room for improvement, but how about we look at it from a positive angle?

A refreshing twist

Recently I was introduced to a Gallup Poll book: "Strengthfinder 2.0" by Tom Rath. The book contains an online code to take an inventory to find a person's five top strengths. (There are 36 in all.) Rath then gives personal pointers on how to live into those strengths. The basic premise of the book is that people typically waste too much time focusing on their weaknesses and trying to improve them instead of honing in on the areas of their natural abilities. This is a refreshing twist on self-examination.

 Incidentally, our strengths can also be our greatest weaknesses. For instance, someone who is determined and focused can also be very inflexible. This book, although it is secular in nature, will, with prayer and scripture, help us to be more clear on how God is using us and also help us to be more careful about how we point out specks in others' eyes.


Asking "Huh?"

 The above may leave some people thinking, "Huh?" But Gallup is known for their studies, and one they did was about the results of positive, negative or no comments from managers. Those who are ignored in the workplace, not acknowledged by their bosses, were least productive, and those with positive feedback were most productive. This tells us that ignoring someone is far more painful than making a constructive comment. The old adage my mother still says in my head, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all," is not always helpful.

No, we do not always have to come up with something to say, but a smile or a wave or a thank-you is far better than nothing. These too are ways that we can be better "loggers" for Christ.

Love,

Pastor Esther

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Editor's note: The above sermon was written by Esther Pfeifer and edited/formatted by myself, Frank Lockwood. I also shortened/abbreviated whenever I felt that would be more suitable the weblog format.

Esther is the pastor at Eltopia United Church of Christ in Eltopia, Washington.

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This page is dedicated to sayings by our pastor, Rev. Esther Pheifer of Eltopia United Church of Christ. Please sign up as a follower or check back frequently to read quotes. As time permits I will be posting tidbits of Esther's wit and wisdom or, perhaps, even a sermon or two.
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