Top Billing

“I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything.” Psalm 138:2 NRSV

I was serving at a church once as the youth pastor. Since I was fully ordained at the time I “fully” expected that my name would be second in the staff listing after the Lead Pastor. He and I were the only other clergy on staff so I assumed my name would get the number two spot of honor like it usually does.

Imagine my surprise to see that I was listed 7th. As in lead pastor, music director, organist, pianist, technology director, and receptionist all came before me. I mean that in two ways. They were listed before me and they all started at that church before me. They knew more about the people, history, and faith of that church than I would ever know and my pretty, framed theological degree would not change that.

It was a hard lesson in humility that I’m not sure I’ve mastered. But I’m trying. (its hard when you’re this awesome)

What helps me most is knowing that God is above all. God’s name always gets top billing. Not that we always put God’s name above all names but God is holy enough, strong enough, loving enough, graceful enough that it doesn’t matter what we do. It matters what God has done and is doing.

Until Everyone Hears,