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During one of my discipleship meetings, I noticed that one of the guys sounded kind of funny as he was sharing about his week. Trying to focus on what he was saying, I noticed that he had a retainer on his teeth? I asked him, “Hey … when did you get a retainer?” And he, orthodontist by trade, went on to explain that his teeth were getting “a little crooked”. Now, I don’t stare at other people’s teeth and judge to see if they are straight or not … maybe you do. As far as I know, he has a nice set of pearly whites even without the retainer. But as a professional orthodontist, he is able to pick up on little nuances of teeth that regular folk like me can’t even detect. Anyhow, he went on to explain that having straight teeth is crucial as he works with people that come to him with crooked teeth issues. That makes sense. I mean what kind of reputation would this orthodontist have if he practiced his trade with crooked teeth!?!
As I reflect on that conversation, I was challenged and convicted in my “profession” & “calling” as a pastor. I thought about how on a regular basis I meet people struggling with a “crooked” life. And they come to me because I am their spiritual shepherd, and they sincerely seek help to “straighten” their lives. Having been in ministry for a number of years now, I have become “good” at diagnosing people’s problems and giving them plans for spiritual victory and renewal. But I wonder, is my life worthy to be imitated or desired (1 Corinthians 4:15-16)? Or is my life “crooked?” Am I able to diagnose my own “crookedness” just like my orthodontist friend was able to diagnose his own crooked teeth? As I counsel, do I exhibit the life that Christ has saved me to? Is my life producing Christ-Character (i.e. “the straightened life”) that others can see and be inspired to follow Christ in a greater capacity? My life as a pastor has to be more than knowing the techniques of ministry. I need to remember to always look at myself first and diagnose the reality of my crookedness before the Lord.
