Run With The Runners

"Well, Esau said, let's be going. I will lead the way. But Jacob replied, you can see, my lord, that some of the children are very young, and the flocks and herds have their young too. If they are driven too hard, even for one day, all the animals could die. Please, my lord, go ahead of your servant. We will follow slowly, at a pace that is comfortable for the livestock and the children. I will meet you at Seir." Gen.33:12-14 

Tonight our pastor used these verses in his sermon. The spirit of truth inspired me as he was preaching.

Esau is like the zealous young inexperienced pastor. He is strong. He is ready to act. He is in a hurry to make something happen. He thinks that if I can do it anyone can.

Jacob has grown up and matured in his sojourn with Laban. He has learned a thing or two. He is still strong and able to work. But time and experience have tempered his strength. He wants to arrive at the end of the trail too. But he takes into account the ability and the condition of his livestock and his young children. He has also learned the art of diplomacy.

What's the lesson here? You learn to run with the runners, and you learn to take care of the weak. A wise pastor can keep his spirit under control. 

"The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets." 1Cor.14:32

A wise man keeps his strength under control and he does not wear his heart on his sleeve. He does not tell us everything he knows in every sermon. A wise and mature pastor, like Jacob, can take care of the weak and not overdrive them. 

Every sermon is not for every person. A wise pastor knows who he is ministering to and who he expects to respond. A wise pastor does not make disciples of the whole church. He runs with the runners, and he supports the weak.

PS: in our Fellowship, the weak are not the young new converts. They are the elders who have stayed faithful through the years.