If I could go wrong, how might it happen?

Only once has a guest written my blog. Terry Brown, part of our Nebraska Network Leadership Team a few years back, wrote this article for fellow ministers. It has resonated so strongly with me that I edited it some and, with his permission, am sending it out to a broader audience.

We, as the church, occasionally have to re-examine a difficult situation that tests the integrity of gospel ministers and their work. Our names are largely unknown, but some of our colleagues are famous, leading to their stories spreading rapidly online.

I watched a video recently on YouTube published by a site called “Grunge.” That doesn’t sound too appealing, but a video titled “Televangelists who were worse than you imagined” caught my attention. The internet hosts a multitude of these video types. After watching it, the questions arose in my mind, if they went wrong, how did it happen? A more important question then followed, that being, if I could go wrong, how might it happen?

This question warrants prayerful consideration with the Lord. We want to be successful. Can enormous success ultimately lead us to going wrong? If so, how might it happen?

We want to be significant. Might this cause us to manipulate others and situations to elevate our standing among our peers? If our peers view us as important within our social groups, can their praise potentially lead us astray? If so, how might it happen?

We don’t want to be insignificant. Can feelings of failure lead us to ultimately go wrong? Can the accolades of the crowd lead us to ultimately going wrong?

We want to have sufficient financial resources for our family and our future. Our skill sets can, for some, provide substantial financial resources in return for our work. Can an unbalanced focus on these things ultimately lead us to go wrong? If so, how might it happen?

We want our prayers to be answered, especially when we need a miracle. We may even have a reputation for often having our prayers answered in a way that could be called “miraculous. Can this lead us to believe that we, more than others, have a connection with God? Suppose heaven’s answer is not what we desired. Could these circumstances lead us to ultimately go wrong? If so, how might it happen?

We want to have fulfilling relationships with others. Can these relationships, good or bad, contribute to us ultimately going wrong? If so, how might it happen?

We get so good at what we do that we seldom ask God for help any more. Can our competence and skills ultimately lead us to going wrong? If so, how might it happen?

It may be good for us to look within at times to consider this question. To begin well is of no value unless we also end well.

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