And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. (First Timothy 1:12)
Yesterday afternoon, on the twenty-first ballot, Dr. David Busic was elected the fortieth General Superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene. [Has anyone else noticed that those numbers, 21 and 40, are reminiscent of Scripture's accounts of intercessory prayers and fasts?]
Shortly after the election, an individual (tag named "ProgressiveNaz") posted negative comments on a Nazarene web page. He (or she) referred to Dr. Busic as "Mr. Busic" and stated, among other things, "I'm just disheartened about this" (referring to the election result).
ProgressiveNaz's response, interestingly, relates to the sermon Rev. Ronald Benjamin shared with us on Sunday. Pastor Ronald made the point that Jesus "grew in favor with God and men" (see Luke 2:52) until He assumed His prophetic role. From that point forward, His life reflected what was written by the prophet Isaiah: "He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him." (Isaiah 53:3)
After referencing Luke and Isaiah, Pastor Ronald then said, and I paraphrase, Timothy was in good company. Timothy, like his Lord Jesus, remained faithful in spite of social rejection (generated by persons who claimed to serve the same God).
And here we are. God, through His community of faith, tapped Dr. Busic on the shoulder... and ProgressiveNaz launched the dart of stigmatization. What shall we do in the presence of naysayers? Love! "Love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith." (First Timothy 1:5)
To Timothy, my true son in the faith: grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord. (First Timothy 1:2)
Dr. Busic, true son. Receive the grace, mercy, and peace of our God and Christ.
Lord, give us grace to engage intercessory prayer for our leaders, and also for their detractors. We all need You.
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