#trysting-god — Public Fediverse posts

Jesus Is My Crutch

2COR129

As a “pandemic pastor” beginning ministry in 2020, to say I was a bit overwhelmed would be an understatement.

Even with the joy and support of co-pastoring with my spouse, the transition to a new place and vocation had its rough spots.

Ministry was not foreign to me. I have a deep love for the church and have been involved in a variety of ministries inside and outside the church since I was a child. Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, Bible studies, Agape Confrontation street ministry, The Navigators, Discipleship Coordinator, Presbyterian Youth Pastor, trustee, elder, worship team member….all helped form me and continue to inform my role as pastor.

It was during this time when, as is often the case, my creative side expressed visually much of what I was wrestling with internally. I realized very quickly early on that, in my life every day, but especially as a pastor, I could not do this on my own strength.

No amount of experience, knowledge, imagination, energy, or will would make me a good and effective pastor unless I was, as the old Gospel song says, “leaning on Jesus.”

I am not sure when the idea came to me, but one morning, in my office, I sat down and made the drawing that serves as the featured image for this post.

Along with my early ministry angst and inadequacies, I was reminded of one of my favorite verses:

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'” 2 Corinthians 12:9.

The term “Jesus Is A Crutch” has been used as a way to somehow discredit those who have placed their faith in a Jewish carpenter who walked the earth 2000 years ago. It does sound rather ludicrous when you think about it. But then I guess I’ll keep choosing to be a fool for Christ.

You see, that day long ago at the beginning of my ministry, I embraced the idea of Jesus as my crutch. Because I realized that no matter how broken or weak or inadequate I was, if I was leaning on Jesus, that crutch would never break.

That was six years ago, and since that time, that illustration has sat on the top shelf of the bookcase in our pastors’ office facing our desk. I look up and see it multiple times when I am working on a sermon, listening to someone, or choosing a commentary or book. The picture is there, a kind of icon, to remind me that yeah, Jesus is my crutch. Hallelujah!

Recently, I got to wondering about using the image to create a t-shirt. The shirt arrived this week, which inspired me to put it on (smile) and write this reflection.

The shirt is available for purchase at https://www.stickermule.com/peacegrooves/item/21041075

Proceeds help support the work of PeaceGrooves and other creative projects.

Like the image that inspired it, the tee is a reminder to me, and hopefully for you as well, that every second of every day, we need to be “leaning on the everlasting arms.”