One of my best sermons as a young college student came from Philippians 3:7-8, where Paul wrote:

"But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.  Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ."

I spoke passionately about how we needed to count our plans, people, and possessions as “rubbish” compared to knowing Christ.  I even had the audience write down the specific descriptions of things they valued, and then challenged them to bring that piece of paper forward to deposit the list in a trashcan in front of the auditorium.  I felt so inspired, and the sermon seemed to be truly effective.

Actually, my experience with the biblical text was very shallow.  For any of us to say we have “suffered the loss of all things” is disingenuous in our prosperous American society where everything is about upward mobility and accumulation of more stuff.  I was young at the time, with the promise of the world in front of me – so I knew very little about “loss.”  How could I really understand the depth of this passage?  I was sincere, but shallow in my efforts to embrace and teach this passage.

Our good and loving God has a way of making truth real in our lives in order to make us more mature and authentic in our faith.  He has kindly helped me in this way, allowing me to understand a little more about “losses” and “gains” in my spiritual pilgrimage.

Possessions, People, and Plans

Recently our family has experienced some fresh losses as a direct result of our obedience to the call of God on our lives.   Because of our commitment to pursue full-time ministry with Strategic Renewal, we left the security of the Sr. Pastor role and followed the Lord’s direction to move to Virginia.  In the process, I had to give up my plans for the security and “success” of a mega-church pastor.

Recently, we sold our home in Minnesota (after two long years of double mortgage payments).  This was an answer to prayer.  Along the way, we lost a lot of savings and all of our home equity.  The reality of losing possessions for the sake of Christ is much more real today than it was in college.

In the last six months, we have lost the physical presence of all three of our children in our home as each one has followed the call of God to marriage, work, or school.  This is a “gain” for each of them, and a blessing to Christ’s kingdom, but the void parents feel is very real in seasons like this.  We are learning to count even our children as “loss” for the sake of Christ and His purposes.

In a variety of other ways, our obedience to the call of God has involved loss of status, security, certainty, friendships, and even sleep.  Of course, these losses are miniscule when contrasted with eternity’s reward for obedient service.  Compared to the painful “losses” others we know are experiencing right now, our sacrifice may seem trivial.  I have friends who have lost a spouse, a career, all financial security, and even their health in recent days.  Still, they love and serve Christ.

Trading Loss for Gain

Having said all of this, I am not whining – but I am seeking a deeper level of worship.  Sure, times of self-pity and carnal regret can surface.  At those moments I am reminded that “a man’s life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:14) and that we must be willing to leave all, take up our cross, and follow Christ if we are to be classified as a true disciple (Luke 14:26-27).

Clearly, the trade-in is worth it – even though it is not easy.  It is good to remember that with every loss, we can gain:

·        A deeper knowledge of Christ, who was unencumbered by the trappings of this world.  This knowledge is truly priceless (Philippians 3:7-8, 10).

·        A mature and biblical perspective about the things that really matter in this life (Philippians 3:8).

·        A powerful sense of Christ-reliance rather than self-reliance, where we discover the sufficiency of His work on the cross and His righteous life in us (Philippians 3:9).

·        A new experience of the power of His resurrection, which brings new life out of death – and ultimate gain from our losses (Philippians 3:10).

·        A fresh infusion of grace, that works most powerfully when we are weak (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Our losses in life are God’s way of prying our fingers off our comfortable idols in order to free our hands to more fully embrace Christ as our all in all.

The Positive "Pathway of Price"

The challenge we face in today’s world is that we can actually prefer the commonplace pathway of our easy idols.  It is the “broad way” of our culture and a difficult thing to relinquish.

That is why we have to turn our eyes on Jesus – so that the things of earth might grow strangely dim.  He is our model in all things.  Even though He knew all the glories of Heaven and had authority over the riches of this world, He described His lifestyle as one where He did not even have a place to lay His head (Matthew 8:20).  No single life has transformed this world more than His, but His impact was completely unrelated to His net worth.  It was directly connected to His selfless sacrifice.

In Philippians 3:7-8, Paul shows us how he was walking in the pathway of Christ.  Paul counted all reliance on formal learning, social status, and notable accomplishments as “rubbish” or “dung”.  The idea of “counting as loss” represents an accounting term and reflects a deliberate business transaction that rejects certain assets to gain something more valuable.

Although a brilliant, accomplished, and gifted leader in every respect, Paul always pursued the pathway of price.  We read about the detailed losses he faced in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28.  This list included a variety of dangers, life-threatening situations, and incredible traumas.  This was all a testament of his resolve to be a “servant of Christ” – but in all of these situations, he received abundant grace and was laying up a sure reward in eternity.

Today, you may be facing loss.  Consider the example of Paul.  Turn your eyes on Jesus.  Open your heart to the incalculable “gains” of knowing Christ.  No matter what, keep living for the ultimate prize of a life that really matters.

Can a pastor be spiritually healthy but lead a spiritually unhealthy congregation?  Yes – but not for long.  Conversely, can a church be spiritually healthy but have an unhealthy pastor at the helm? Yes – but not for long.  Over time, a healthy ministry requires both healthy leadership and healthy followers.  It is a two-sided coin.

Healthy Leader + Unhealthy Church

Often a spiritually healthy pastor is called to a spiritually unhealthy church.  Typically it is a congregation with a history of problems.  In some cases a previous pastor wounded the church deeply and they are floundering in distrust or discord.  Sometimes the church has been stuck in a rut of control games, petty infighting, or battles over “sacred cows.”  Usually they have a history of churning through short-term pastors.

However, if they are willing to trust the leadership, respond in repentance and faith to the systematic teaching of God’s Word, get on their knees, and embrace a new outward-focused vision – health can prevail.  If not, their petty dissensions will eventually suck the life out of every subsequent pastor.  Each one leaves – looking for a better environment to serve and raise his family.  Good for him.   Sad for the church.  Two steps forward, three steps back.

Healthy Church  + Unhealthy Leader

Sometimes a pastor falls into unhealthy patterns while leading a strong congregation.  Perhaps he is overworked, physically ill, or encountering unresolved challenges at home.  Usually the overlap of physical problems, emotional fatigue, and family conflicts begin to decimate him spiritually.

A healthy congregation will spot these symptoms and insist that action be taken to renew the pastor (or his marriage & family) back to health, no matter the cost.  This is a wise and worthy course. 

On the other hand, if the leadership team ignores the “elephant in the room” – simply hoping the pastor will get better – the situation is likely to implode.  Eventually the pastor’s dysfunction will manifest in staff relationships, the quality of preaching, and the overall focus of the ministry.  Well-founded suspicions and fears begin to distract everyone from the primary task.  Either the condition of the pastor will eventually infect the culture of the church, or the pastor will leave under difficult circumstances.  Everyone loses again.

The Pain of Dual Dysfunction

Pilots who lose visibility in the cockpit, or fly into severe storms, will experience “spatial disorientation” (vertigo) if they do not trust their objective instrument readings.  Many a pilot has lost his life because he trusted his own senses in the midst of inclement and confusing conditions.

Pastors and churches can get into the same dilemma.  If a pastor does not trust the things that are objective and true (God’s Word, wise counsel, the assurance of the call, etc.) it is easy to lose perspective and throw in the towel, often too soon.  This is fresh on my mind as I am currently finishing the final edits for a new book with Moody Press titled Defying Gravity - How to Survive the Storms of Pastoral Ministry.  The book examines nine objective gauges that leaders must trust when they are navigating difficult personal circumstances or ministry troubles.

A church that is unhealthy also needs objective input.  Sick patients should trust the wisdom and objective tests of a doctor.  Ill churches need wise, bold, and godly input from experienced leaders who do not have a “dog in the fight” and can clearly point out the problems and recommend solutions.  These counselors could be a denominational representative or a group of wise pastoral consultants from other churches. 

The Joy of Mutual Health

When a godly pastor leads a church for many years and is faithfully maintaining his spiritual, emotional, physical, and family health – it is a strong indicator that the church he shepherds will become strong.  Over time, a healthy pastor, leading a responsive church, is privileged to see a ministry that honors Christ and enjoys transformational impact on the community for the Gospel.

A healthy and godly congregation becomes wind beneath his wings.  Their love for Christ and one another dominates the congregational culture.  They are a people who cherish the Word, pray diligently, and serve with gladness.  It doesn’t get any better than this for people who are committed to making an eternal impact during their short earthly journey.

Toward Balanced, Biblical Health

So, what should a pastor and congregation do about these ideals?  First, a pastor should define what “health” looks like for him and his family. He should set priorities that help him maintain those values.  He must have the courage to say “no” to the things that distract and damage, not out of egotistical self-preservation, but for the sake of his family, his church, and his Lord’s honor.  He must find rhythms that will balance his passion with seasons of rest and renewal.

He should lead his staff and church in such a way that they will cherish the power of God’s Word and love the pursuit of spiritual intimacy with Christ through prayer.  He should teach them to have a high view of every “saint” in the church to accomplish official and Spirit-empowered ministry.  He must work hard to keep the main thing the main thing as they savor the nobility of the Great Commission.

The congregation should pray for their pastor and church leaders with great consistency and passion.  Prayer will not only be a channel of spiritual power and encouragement for the pastors – it will keep the church members’ hearts warm to the will of the Lord and the needs of the leadership. 

Of course, they should accept biblical teaching, not simply as the ideas of men but as the Word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13).  They should strive to serve, and NOT to be served (Matthew 20:28).  They should pray for eyes to see the harvest and express the compassion of Christ at every opportunity as they live among the community and the nations.

With this in mind, I feel deep passion about the mission of Strategic Renewal.  We have the joy of strengthening pastors, leading them into “times of refreshing” that come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:20).  We equip them to be renewal leaders in their churches.  What a joy! 

Of course, every month we also have the joy of mobilizing churches to seek renewal and equipping them to pray more effectively.  We elevate biblical teaching in all that we do.

In the long run, we want to be a vital part of the two sides of church health.  With your partnership, we can.  The great need of our nation is for healthy, spiritually-powerful, Gospel-preaching churches.  When the light shines brightly through churches across the nation, it will confront and defeat darkness.  Christ will be exalted and lives will be changed.  That is a vision worth our total commitment.

In the midst of his incredible trials, Job offered a matter-of-fact reality in these words: “For man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7).  Solomon was considerably more cynical when he framed it this way: “For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity” (Ecclesiastes 2:23).

No doubt life can seem pretty tough and futile at times.  Whether we observe the apparent hopelessness of the world politics and looming terror or simply look around at our circle of friends and family, it is apparent that we have enough pain and disappointment to go around.

As a pastor for 26 years, I have often felt the heaviness of sitting with a dying parishioner, counseling a heart-broken and desperate parent, or praying with a deeply discouraged brother in Christ.  In recent days, I find that I am listening to many friends describing unprecedented financial problems that are negatively affecting their family, relationships, and emotions very deeply.  I find myself talking to myself about the same themes.

The economic forecasts and cultural trends are enough to leave any of us reeling in bewilderment.  Before you know it, you can find yourself in a funk.  Have I thoroughly depressed you yet?

The Bible says of the Lord, “You open Your hand, they are filled with good” (Psalm 104:28).  No matter how tough life gets, we can still experience abundant goodness.  The key to this rests in our answer to two questions.  First, where are you looking?  Second, what are you thinking?

Where Are You Looking? 

Too often we look to the wrong sources for blessing.  If we are not careful, we can start expecting good from sources that can never meet our expectations.  People, circumstances, weather, health, finances, careers, and events cannot provide ultimate happiness.  We can sometimes be like the guy who stood in front of a common vending machine after depositing his three quarters, expecting a new car to suddenly pop out.

The Psalmist declared, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills — From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD Who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).  Psalm 145:15-16 reiterates, “The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.”

It is important to look past the people, problems, perils, and pains of life to see the good hand of God.  We must look to Him as our ultimate and only source of real goodness.  He wants to pour his blessing, presence, and provision into our hearts everyday, no matter how tough life gets.  The question is, will we recognize it and receive it by keeping the proper focus?

What Are You Thinking?  

I find it so helpful to fix my thoughts not on what I see, experience, or feel – but on what I know to be true.  Isaiah 26:3& 4 reminds us, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal” (NIV).  Goodness comes to the one who fixes his mind on things that are true.

I remember one occasion at a recent Prayer Summit when we as participants were all reflecting on the many blessings of those days of worship, prayer, and fellowship.  I commented on how the Lord had satisfied the deep needs and longings of our hearts, as only He can do.  I repeated the verse again, “You open you hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” Then I suggested, “Let’s take some time to thank the Lord for the satisfaction He has accomplished in us by opening His hand of provision.  Who would finish the sentence, ‘Lord, You have opened Your hand and satisfied my desire for…?’” 

As we often do, I encouraged a group response, taking my cue from Psalm 104:28, “You open Your hand, and they are filled with good.” I asked the group to echo a response by saying, “And we are filled with good!” It took off immediately.

People cried out:

“Lord, You have opened Your hand and satisfied my desire for forgiveness.”

“Lord, You have opened Your hand and satisfied my desire for acceptance.”

“Lord, You have opened Your hand and satisfied my desire for renewed joy.”

“Lord, You have opened Your hand and satisfied my desire for peace.”

The responses went on for many minutes and were as personal and unique as the depths of each heart.  We were amazed at the power of God’s hand to minister satisfaction in such practical ways.  With deep enthusiasm we were able to echo, “And we are filled with good!”

Regardless of your current trials and burdens, consider this exercise for your own soul.  He has opened His hand.  He is opening His hand.  He will open His hand, and satisfy your desires.  And you will be filled with good.