From: The Pastor’s Heart
To: You
”Title: “Go Get the Lightbulb”
This morning I walked into my office, turned on the light switch, and noticed that
something was a little off. It didn’t take long to realize that one of the lightbulbs in the
ceiling fan had blown and was not working. Though there was still a good bit of light in
the room I could tell instantly that it wasn’t as bright this morning as it was this same time
yesterday. My first thought was just to proceed to my desk and get started on my work. I
determined that it wasn’t going to hamper or alter the plans I had today since, once again,
I still had a good bit of light in the room and besides, the replacement bulbs were back
down two flights of stairs. But then I asked myself why should I settle for working in an
area of diminished light when I had the power to operate in better?
It made me think about how many of us have settled for a little bit less than we
once desired because of the effort it takes to reclaim the best. We are surrounded with
options that sometimes limit our passion and pursuit for excellence because going after
the ultimate in life can be taxing, exhausting, and even expensive. It’s like flying coach
when first class is available. You know you’re worth the best, but then when you consider
the additional cost involved to transport you to the same place at the same time in the
same plane, you start having second thoughts. You tell yourself it doesn’t make any sense
to put out more when you can live with less. So then flying coach becomes acceptable.
I know that some may be feeling right now my analogy above is an unfair one
because no matter how you look at it, it just doesn’t make sense to spend that kind of
money to sit in the front of the plane. I get it and trust me I hardly fly first class either, but
that’s not my point. My point is that we have allowed ourselves to be content with getting
and giving less than the best. I’ve seen it in ministry as well. If we’re not careful, we will
put out just the amount of effort and energy needed to get the job done. If we’re not
careful, we’ll accept the bare minimum of what’s available in life when it’s God will that
we have the best this life can offer.
Disappointments and setbacks can wear you down to the point that you’ll just be
happy to survive another day, but God did not call us survivors…He called us conquerors.
He called us ‘More Than Conquerors’. There is greatness in you and that greatness
deserves the best, especially when you truly live for the Lord and strive to do His will. You
deserve a happy marriage not just a decent marriage. You deserve a fulfilling career not
just a well paying job. You deserve to be kept in perfect peace not just a little bit of peace
every now and then. Look at your life and ask the question, “Have I allowed myself to be
content with the amount of light in the room, or am I willing to walk back down the stairs
and get the new bulb so that my world is as bright as it’s supposed to be?” Hey…Go Get
the Lightbulb!
EVERYTHING WE DO MOVING FORWARD WILL BE INTENTIONAL AND DRIVEN WITH
PURPOSE TO REPRESENT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN THE BEST POSSIBLE LIGHT!
NOTHING WILL BE DONE WITH ENERGY LESS THAN OUR BEST AND EFFORT BELOW
OUR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL.
OUR SERVICE IS LOCAL, BUT OUR REACH IS GLOBAL – SO WE CANNOT REDUCE OUR
PRESENTATION DOWN TO WHAT’S CONVENIENT, BUT RATHER WE MUST RAISE IT TO
THAT WHICH IS EXPLOSIVE!
Get ready for major change that’s coming systematically, intellectually, purposefully, and
professionally. Nothing we do moving forward will be done haphazardly, sloppily, poorly,
or carnally.
We Are the LIGHT!
Sincerely,
Pastor J.E. Chandler, Sr.
(CEO/Pastor of MLCM)