Pastor, Be Your Church's Short-Term Memory
Can you imagine what it would be like if you lost your short-term memory?
We’ve all walked into the kitchen and then forgotten what we were looking for. But imagine how disorienting and confusing it would feel if you walked into a store and couldn’t remember what you were shopping for or even where you were? Can you imagine the anxiety that would bring you?
We’re all in danger of losing our spiritual short-term memory, especially in times that are chaotic and uncertain. Our short-term memory is our internal compass, and when we lose it, we lose our bearings and forget where we’ve been, where we’re going, and even who we are.
Seeing life through the gospel is essential to our spiritual short-term memory for our ability to orient ourselves to our surroundings and align our peace, purpose, and passion. It’s what allows us to make consistent and coherent decisions that, cumulatively, keep us moving in the direction of true flourishing. This is why it is critical that pastors, especially in times like this, act as their people’s short-term memory.
DISORIENTING TIMES
I found myself getting completely disoriented recently. The week started with the normal fatigue, problems, and goals. Then, as the week progressed, I found everything I did, read, and talked about started revolving around the coronavirus. I started the week dreaming and planning for our upcoming Easter celebration; I ended the week by suspending the gathering of our church until further notice. It’s been chaotic, anxious, and confusing, to say the least.
It wasn’t just a disorienting week for pastors, though. Our people have been caught up in the same storm of confusing information, competing voices, and growing anxiety about where this pandemic is going and how it will impact each of us and those we love. People are finding their joy sapped by anxiety, their hope by fear, and their energy by the constant challenge of an ever-changing landscape. In times like this, it is especially easy to lose sight of our true north—the love of God expressed to us in Christ.
As pastors, we need to recognize that it is a holy and solemn duty to function as our people’s short-term memory. We need to remind them where to set their minds and how to direct their hearts. Paul constantly did this with his churches. In Colossians 3, as Paul reminds the believers:
Set your minds on things that are above . . . For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Col. 3:2–4 ESV).
With brilliant brevity, Paul resets the believers’ internal compass (and ours) with three waypoints in their journey that remind them who they are, where they are, and where they are going to help them orient themselves to the gospel.
THREE REMINDERS FOR YOU AND YOUR CHURCH
First, Paul reminds us that our greatest debt has been paid. He tells the Colossians “they have died.” In any other context, this would be horrible news, but Paul is reminding his children of the beautiful comfort of the doctrine of imputation. Even though we committed cosmic treason and were guilty and deserving death, Jesus died our death. He willingly became our substitute and gave his innocent life to pay the full price we owed justice. Our sin was imputed (credited) to him and he died under its penalty. He took my sin and died my death, and the condemned, sinful person I was died with him.
Pastor, we remind your people: Your greatest debt has been paid! Let this incredibly good news sink in: You have been set free from your slavery to earning and performing and worrying! The price has been paid by Jesus for you!
Secondly, Paul reminds us that our greatest problem has been solved. He said, not only have you died with Christ, but now “your life is hidden with Christ in God.” This is the second profoundly good implication of imputation: not only has your sin, shame, and guilt been imputed to Jesus and paid for in his death, but his resurrection life and righteousness has been imputed to you. That means you are covered, at this very moment, in the security of Christ’s “indestructible life” (Heb. 7:16). Your life is hidden with Christ in God!
Pastor, remind your people: Your greatest problem has been solved! There are thousands of problems we are going to have to deal with during this season of crisis, but remind yourself of this truth every single day: Your life is hidden with Christ in God! As vulnerable as you feel, as anxious as the world becomes, you are secure, loved, and protected! No matter what assails you today, nothing can touch this truth.
Thirdly, Paul reminds us that our greatest blessing has already been given. Paul tells us that when Christ appears, we also “will appear with him in glory.” This remarkable statement tells us a few profound truths. We aren’t just forgiven and declared right by God. The righteousness that has been imputed to us by God extends beyond just a record of obedience to the very glory of Christ’s nature. When Jesus appears (is made visible, is revealed at his second coming) we also will be revealed with him in glory! To share in Christ’s glory means much more than simply sharing in his radiant beauty. It means that we will share in the riches and honor of his reign. We are actually co-heirs of the kingdom with our King (Rom. 8:17). There could be no greater honor or blessing bestowed than this!
Pastor, remind your people: Your greatest blessing has already been given! You aren’t yet able to enter the fullness of its goodness, but it is already yours! You are only waiting for Christ to return. We are only stuck in a traffic jam on the way to the wedding feast of the Lamb and the glory of his kingdom. Let’s not get discouraged or distracted by the noise!
DON’T GET DISTRACTED
Our greatest debt has already been paid.
Our greatest problem has already been solved.
Our greatest blessing has already been given.
Pastors we need to let these truths calm our minds and embolden our hearts. Then we need to remind our people to orient themselves to these truths moment by moment.
Steve Mizel is the planting pastor of Trailhead Church in Edwardsville, IL. He is married to his best friend, Lauren, and is a father and grandfather. You can follow him on Twitter or on his blog.