Don't Make Me Cut You!
I hate being called pastor or preacher. (Only one friend of mine can get away with that without me feeling all slimy, and that’s because he says it with such affection that it can’t be a bad thing.) The reason I hate it so much is because it always seems as though people are mentally stripping me of all humanity with those awful “P” words.
I rarely ever reveal to anyone that I used to serve as a pastor until they get to know me quite well. Because relationships are hard, and clichés and pigeonholes work so well to help us get a grasp on people, and we love to utilize them. And when people learn that you used to be a preacher, well, that changes things quickly, and much of the time it’s for the worse.
I’m constantly saying or doing things that get me in dutch with the holier-than-thou types. People have this societal idea of what a Christian, and especially a pastor, is supposed to be (even though they wouldn’t think of applying the same standard to themselves, go figure). And most of the time they’re wrong. And, frankly, I’ve got enough false guilt to deal with without them throwing theirs on the pile as well.
But, what I found out from my tenure as a shepherd (Fanboy Reference!) is that many people are simply talking out of their rear-ends. I mean, I literally know kids that have a deeper grasp of theological truths than many adults that have presumed to tell me, and others, how to live theirs lives. Some will even say, “I don’t presume to know much about the Bible, but you should…” What?! *sigh*
My point is, and I do have one, not to let it get to you so much. The Bible says that you’ve got about as much to fear from a bird swooping by as you do an undeserved curse. The thing is religious-type folks can be judgmental, narrow and critical. But, don’t just get mad at them, pray for them. I think they’re so judgmental because they feel so durn judged. They don’t comprehend the depth and height that is God’s love and forgiveness, and that’s a shame. So, yeah, pray for them, but don’t let yourself be confined to their prisons of guilt and shame.
Boys and girls, you’ve got to earn the right to be heard. That takes time and that takes relationship. I’m going to take the thought-out comment of a friend, even though it may burn like fire, much more seriously than I will some turkey who tells me the same thing, even if it’s in a “nicer” way. (Prov. 27:6) And if a lot of brothers and sisters who have earned that right tell me the same thing, I’m really going to listen. So, taking good advice is important, and pleasing God is important, even being respectful to others is important, but that doesn’t mean you always have to listen to those jokers!
I find it so interesting that Jesus was such an individual; that his disciples were so varied in personality, interests and backgrounds, and we are taught that we must all fit into some sort of pre-defined mold. The thing is, there is no mold, except the mold that’s growing on the way we “do” church (how’d you like that snazzy pun, sucka?)
So, find friends that will tell you when you suck, and taste your tears when you weep. And don’t slip quietly into the place anyone else has prepared for you just because they say it’s from God. Question it. Probe it. Rip it apart and put it back together, and then sit, but only if you’ve found it to be from Him… and don't call me pastor, or I'll cut you.
7:48:20 PM 
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