An Inconvenience Truth

An Inconvenience Truth

Nobody likes inconvenient, unplanned, unexpected things thrown into their schedule. We like to be able to—to a certain degree—predict what we’re going to be doing in any given week and not have events we don’t want, or ask for, thrust upon us; like jury duty!

I must confess that as a pastor, I’ve always felt safe reporting for jury duty, assuming that my vocation would serve as an automatic disqualifier in most cases. After all, the attorneys don’t want someone who makes his living having a distinctly biblical worldview judging the guilt or innocence of their client, right? Wrong! In this case, it didn’t matter. As jury selection dragged on and I could tell I wasn’t going anywhere, I began to feel a little less self-righteous about those I’ve discovered recently who simply throw their summons in the trash. I won’t mention any names.

But, I’m sure that if it were completely convenient to drop everything for a day, or possibly days or weeks, they’d happily respond, return their form and fulfill their civic responsibility. In fact, other than being inconvenient, jury trials can actually be entertaining, educational and useful to the Kingdom.

Yes, I said useful to the Kingdom. My current jury stint has opened doors for discussion about faith and church with people I likely otherwise would never have rubbed elbows. One day I had lunch with a young juror in the midst of finalizing a divorce. Over our sandwiches I was able to put on my pastoral hat and share with him God’s view of the topic along with some biblical advice concerning his situation.

That opportunity led me to reconsider my frustration over being inconvenienced by being seated on that jury. Could it be that God actually uses unplanned, inconvenient situations to open doors to ministry that He planned, without our knowing? Is it possible that God is not limited to my calendar and plans? What a concept! Instead of grousing about that disruption in my schedule, maybe I should rejoice for what may very well be an unexpected opportunity. Rejoice may be too strong a word. Let’s say, I should adjust my attitude and be open to the possibility of God using me in unexpected ways.

At Living Oaks, we’ve identified 2009 as “A Year to Help.” We have embraced a focus on getting outside our walls and making a tangible difference in the community for Christ. I believe now that God simply had a funny way of bumping me out of my cushy LOCC office and plunging me into the community. He cleverly moved me into the midst of people who may never darken the doorway of our church. He had a plan I hadn’t planned upon.

Estimates are that a week remains before a verdict in this trial. Once again, I’m watching my calendar get bowled over by my duty as a citizen to play my part in the justice system. But, now I’m looking for opportunities to redeem the time for the Kingdom’s sake.The truth about inconvenience is that it’s inconvenient. But it is also true that inconvenience can produce fruit that could never be conveniently produced. Nearly everything great that happened in Scripture flowed out of someone’s inconvenient— sometimes very inconvenient—circumstances from Job to Abraham to Moses to David to Paul; up to and including Jesus and His most inconvenient death on a cross

“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.” –Colossians 4:5