Several years ago, I remember listening to a message on leadership and keeping things simple. The speaker told a story about a seasoned captain of a sailing ship. The first officer, who had great respect for the old captain, would watch each day as the captain would walk into the office, pull a key from a chain around his neck, unlock a desk drawer, take out a piece of paper, read it and lock the drawer back. Afterwards, the captain would begin the leadership duties of his day.
When it came time for the captain to retire, the first officer was made captain and to his pleasant surprise, the old captain gave the key around his neck to the first officer. Upon handing him the key the old captain said, “Young man, guard the contents of this cabinet well. Follow the words that you will find and you will not fail.”
The young captain could not wait to learn of the great treasure he had been given. His mind raced, what would he find? Would he find the old captain’s journal, a great work of previous historical captains, a collection of Biblical teachings? He hurried to open the drawer and found only one page of writing. On the page was written in large letters: “PORT IS LEFT.” “STARBOARD IS RIGHT.”
That old preacher illustration is a great one I have to remind myself of from time to time. Especially when I’m looking for some dynamic fix or answer to a difficult situation in ministry. As in ministry and all of Christianity, sometimes we convince ourselves that to move to the next level we have to come up with some miraculous fix or catchy solution that will wow the crowd or impress the masses. In the process, many times, we get so focused on the “wow factor” that we forget the basics of the Bible and ministry. The Lord calls us to be brave and bold, but at the same time we are told to not forget the simple components that make up the foundations of our faith. Sometimes, in a difficult situation, what we need is a simple reminder from a brother or sister. A gentle answer and the simple encouragement to not complicate a situation with a dynamic fix and to simply trust in the basics of the Bible and the sovereign love of God.
So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. — 2 Peter 1:12
Serving the Savior,
Bro. Jonathan
When it came time for the captain to retire, the first officer was made captain and to his pleasant surprise, the old captain gave the key around his neck to the first officer. Upon handing him the key the old captain said, “Young man, guard the contents of this cabinet well. Follow the words that you will find and you will not fail.”
The young captain could not wait to learn of the great treasure he had been given. His mind raced, what would he find? Would he find the old captain’s journal, a great work of previous historical captains, a collection of Biblical teachings? He hurried to open the drawer and found only one page of writing. On the page was written in large letters: “PORT IS LEFT.” “STARBOARD IS RIGHT.”
That old preacher illustration is a great one I have to remind myself of from time to time. Especially when I’m looking for some dynamic fix or answer to a difficult situation in ministry. As in ministry and all of Christianity, sometimes we convince ourselves that to move to the next level we have to come up with some miraculous fix or catchy solution that will wow the crowd or impress the masses. In the process, many times, we get so focused on the “wow factor” that we forget the basics of the Bible and ministry. The Lord calls us to be brave and bold, but at the same time we are told to not forget the simple components that make up the foundations of our faith. Sometimes, in a difficult situation, what we need is a simple reminder from a brother or sister. A gentle answer and the simple encouragement to not complicate a situation with a dynamic fix and to simply trust in the basics of the Bible and the sovereign love of God.
So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. — 2 Peter 1:12
Serving the Savior,
Bro. Jonathan
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