How does it make you feel when members of your tech team make big mistakes or forget to do what they've been told? How do you respond when people don't follow through on their commitments? Do you ever find yourself being a little frustrated or harsh? Sometimes it bubbles up in my heart but rarely spills over in my response because I hold it in. But it's still in my heart, nonetheless.
In Ephesians 4:1-2 (ESV) Paul says, “I therefore, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility, gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love…”
For the past few months, I've been slowly studying through Ephesians. I have been thinking about the things that easily frustrate me --- situations where I might respond to others with a bit of an edge. As I read these verses in Ephesians 4, I think about what my appropriate response should be in these times.
Pride, harshness, and impatience are considered virtuous qualities in this world. We don't have to look far to see this. I don't think this was any different thousands of years ago when Paul urges the Ephesians to live differently. As if to say, “Hey guys, this is of utmost importance to you! Live like this: with humility, gentleness, and patience.” He writes this because of what he has told us about God already a few chapters prior. In Ephesians 1, Paul laboriously describes God in such a way that should leave us speechless and in wonder. Read it. You'll see that the entire chapter points to the goodness of God, the kindness of God toward us.
Paul tells us that God has:
-Blessed us, v. 3
-Chosen us, v. 4
-Adopted us, v. 5
-Redeemed us through Christ, v. 7
-Forgiven us, v. 7
-Lavished His graces on us, v. 8
-Given to us an inheritance, v. 11
-Given to us His Spirit, v. 13-14
-Opens the eyes of our heart, v 18
-Thinks that we are very valuable to Him, v. 18
-Has immeasurably great power towards us, v. 19
There is nothing in the entire chapter about anything we did or will ever be able to do to deserve any of it.
He goes on in chapter two, as if to remind them what they once were: “And you were once dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked…” Dead things are unable to do anything themselves. They're dead. An outside force must be enacted upon the dead thing to make it useful.
And then we have perhaps the two most powerful words, “But God.” But God made us alive because of the richness of his mercy and great love he has towards us. It is by the grace of God that any of us can ever be saved through our faith in Christ.
Because of all God has done for us, we are to live in every way with humility, gentleness, and patience. God is this way towards us. So we are to be the same way toward others. “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” - Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV
We should speak the truth in love, but, in the same way, we are to respond with humility, gentleness, and patience in bearing with one another when:
-Our team member makes a crucial mistake, because we have made our fair share of crucial mistakes.
-The weaknesses of others are displayed, because we have our own weaknesses with which others bear.
-The younger generation of the technical team “doesn't get it” and causes agitation in us, because we were in their shoes a decade or more ago and “didn't get it” either.
Although technical directors are usually the least seen members of a church's worship service, our work is not unimportant, boring or mundane. God has given us good work to do. I believe that if we demonstrate living and leading with all humility, gentleness and patience --- interacting with others in love --- we will set the tone for a thriving, vibrant culture in our technical teams.
