He is faithful in all my house. Numbers 12:7
Last Sunday was our pastor’s last Sunday. He’s not leaving for another church, but rather, he’s retiring after pastoring our church faithfully for the last 23 years. My family has not been there for all of that time, but rather, we began attending not long after I found recovery several years ago. I realized I wanted to be a part of his church when I discovered that this was the kind of church that reached out to those struggling with addiction, like me. Now, I don’t know anything about the growth of the church’s attendance or the expanse of the budget during Pastor Keith’s 23 years, but I can say that our church has experienced tremendous success in the eyes of the one who matters the most. Pastor Keith has enjoyed success, not because he’s chased success as the world defines it, but because he’s consistently sought God’s will above all.
Playing for an audience of one. That was the theme of Pastor Keith’s last sermon on his last Sunday. In it, he stressed how we must continually seek the approval of God, not the approval of man. We so often worry about what those around us think and want, when we should concern ourselves most with what God thinks and wants.
This singular concern for God’s will was modeled by Moses in today’s passage. In the story, Moses’ siblings, Aaron and Miriam, challenged his authority. They used the pretext of his marriage to a foreigner, but this was a power struggle, as Moses’ siblings attempted to topple him from his position of authority with the Israelites. Moses, it appears, didn’t fight back, trying to defend himself. Rather, he simply followed God’s will and let God defend him. And defend him, God did. God struck Miriam with leprosy as Aaron quaked in terror, awaiting his own punishment. At this, Moses could have gloated, but instead he proved that he was the better man by asking God to heal Miriam. Moses played for an audience of one, not caring what others, even his own family, thought of him.
When I find myself worried about what others think, I must remember who my most important judge and critic is. If I desire to find success in God’s eyes, then, like Moses and Pastor Keith, I must daily keep my eyes on God and his will, playing for an audience of one.
Last Sunday’s lesson was just the last in a long line of important lessons Pastor Keith has taught our church. And so, I know I’m not alone in saying this – Thanks Pastor Keith! What a ride!