Everything I needed to know to be a Pastor I learned as a Sunbeam!

Two weeks ago I said I was going to start writing… well, didn’t do too good on that one.  At least not yet!  I suppose if you have nothing to say, you shouldn’t say it. I think I’ve heard that before.  

Now I’m a pastor.  I’ve been a pastor before but only “sort of.”  By most accounts pastoring a small group in a coffee shop doesn’t really count.  I’ve been pastoral in many ways but without a church.  Just that person people come to with their needs and concerns.  The one with a shoulder people could cry on and find support.  

Prone to self-reflections and doubts, I wonder if I am really prepared.  I have the education.  I have the desire.  I have the heart.  Most importantly, I have the “call.”  Now I have somewhat of a stamp of approval from a large denomination.  The church I pastor has a wonderful history, beautiful people, and meets in a lovely white church with a steeple that lights up at night.  It's the type of church of Norman Rockwell art. 

I drove into church last night from a different direction.  I could see the steeple in the distance.  Like a lighthouse for souls in the song The Lighthouse.  You can hear it here.

One of the congregants in the church said I glow in the pulpit.  Glow? Me?  I think what she meant was that she can tell how very happy I am to be a pastor.  Preaching is the easiest part.  Visitation is the hardest.  I’m shy by nature and much more introverted than people think when they see me preach or teach.  I’m polite to a fault, a product of my childhood where children should be seen and not heard.

I guess this makes me the glowing pastor of the church with the glowing steeple.  But isn’t that what the scripture says?  Listen to Matthew 5:14-16 from The Message:

 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

That’s it – bringing out the God colors in the world.  Not keeping God a secret - being a light-bearer.  I don’t have to worry about how prepared I am; I just have to shine.  God has put me on that hilltop with a lighted steeple with a congregation of people who love Jesus, now we need to shine.

As a kid I was a Sunbeam.  It is the Salvation Army’s girls scouting type program.  I’ve written about it before, you can read that here.   As a Sunbeam, I learned how to shine.  The words of this song seem to capture it very well. 

1.   Jesus wants me for a sunbeam,
To shine for Him each day;
In every way try to please Him,
At home, at school, at play.

o    Refrain:
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam;
A sunbeam, a sunbeam,
I’ll be a sunbeam for Him.

2.    Jesus wants me to be loving,
And kind to all I see;
Showing how pleasant and happy,
His little one can be.

3.    I will ask Jesus to help me
To keep my heart from sin;
Ever reflecting His goodness,
And always shine for Him.

4.    I’ll be a sunbeam for Jesus,
I can if I but try;
Serving Him moment by moment,
Then live for Him on high.