Everyone counts something. Whether money in our bank accounts (or lack thereof), house size, kid’s school class rank, or number of grandkids (the crowd we run with these days), we all are counters! Not necessarily a bad thing IF you are truly counting what counts.
This past week we spent seven glorious days (but who’s counting) at the beach with lifelong friends the Bells. Our families crossed paths in Atlanta from ’92-’99 as we raised our three kids together. We dads coached sports teams while the moms homeschooled and taxied kids to events. Faith was our centerpiece. Great memories!
The beach by day and great dining by night gave us hours to catch up on the years. Our “kids” all young adults now, all college graduates, all gainfully employed (yay!), most with families of their own AND all still actively involved in faith. As parents we gratefully agreed, all other accomplishments aside, the God piece trumps all. It’s what counts!
Churches and faith institutions count as well. I spent 30 years in that arena and most Monday mornings some type scorecard was circulated. Most (not all) churches count what we insiders refer to as the ABCs (attendance, baptisms, cash) or what some have termed “nickels and noses OR butts and bucks”. Sounds rather non-churchy I know.
Everyone counts something, even Jesus. His top three – he told the religious leaders, “love God and love others”. To his disciples, “go and make disciples”. Simple but not easy!
Dallas Willard, noted Christian writer and thinker, encourages two diagnostic questions for churches wanting to follow the disciple making ways of Jesus:
- What is your disciple making method?
- Is it working?
Why not invest some time personally reflecting on Jesus words for your own life. Then just for fun, ask one of your pastors or church leaders Willard’s two questions and see what they say.
It really does count!
