Devotional

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

~ Mike Schwiebert ~ 3 Comments

Thinking on the beach

Love these posts I’m reading over at the Church Technical Leaders website by Jacob Barbour @hdctechdirect, “Should I Even Be Here?” Pt. 1, Pt. 2, and Pt.3.

Jacob’s writing has been really good. I get energized when I see people wrestle with their calling, wrestle with their circumstances, and speak wisdom out of their disillusionment. It is a given to get disillusioned in church work. Those who say otherwise are living an unexamined life or lying. Both of which are destroyers of authentic ministry.

Let’s dig in. Jacob asks: “Should I even be here?” My answer:

Where’s here?

One of the greatest challenges I have faced in life is deciphering the riddle of the will of God. In the church tradition I grew up in, discovering God’s will for your life was the most important thing a young person could do. And although I do believe that God can call specific people to specific tasks, I question that God calls all people to specific vocations.

Keep thinking! Continue reading.

An Easter Evaluation

~ Mike Schwiebert ~ 1 Comment

Oak Tree on snowy Fields at Sunset

Sometimes my wife, Rose, and I have intense discussions about how awesome of a husband I am. Well, actually, that’s usually my side of the argument. Her side can sound a little different. I am learning that I don’t get to decide how good I am doing, she does. Her side usually includes challenging my schedule and words like “never at home” seem to often get repeated. Submitting to that evaluation can be tough. It makes me feel exposed and vulnerable.

In the beginning of The Book of Revelation, Jesus is evaluating His bride. If I stood before Jesus and He recognized my hard work, tenacity, support and fortitude; I’d feel pretty good. I put a high premium on hard work and finishing tasks. The Church at Ephesus had all these positives, but Jesus commanded them to repent. Why?
Although they were busy, they stopped loving.

Keep thinking! Continue reading.

Tests of Authentic Ministry

~ Mike Schwiebert ~ 4 Comments

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 2 Corinthians 4:1, 2

These verses are incredibly challenging. Though I have been contemplating this passage for years, I feel that I have barely scratched the surface of Paul’s admonitions. Keep thinking! Continue reading

Leaving A Lasting Legacy

~ Mike Schwiebert ~ Leave a comment

We are probably all familiar with the climactic scene in Schindler’s List, where Oskar Schindler is presented with a letter and ring by the 1100 Jews he helped save. He is deeply ashamed and begins to weep. He could have done so much more. In heart-wrenching desperation, he considers his gold pin, and the life it represents, and breaks down, “I could have got one more person and I didn’t. I didn’t…”

This scene resonates with us because people matter. We have been created to be our brother’s keeper. We have been commanded to love each other as Jesus loved us.

Keep thinking! Continue reading.

The Power of Story

~ Mike Schwiebert ~ Leave a comment

To say Star Wars has been a huge commercial success is an understatement. Star Wars is a cultural phenomenon. Besides the groundbreaking special effects, the movies are a great example of the power of the story.

In Episode 1, Anakin Skywalker is enslaved on an obscure planet. Soon he is overtaken by his destiny. By the end of the series, he redeems himself by saving his son and fulfills the ancient prophecies bringing peace to the galaxy. George Lucas, the creator of the series, exploited the redemption meta-narrative of legend and lore, and I believe it is this power of story that has made the movies a success. Keep thinking! Continue reading.