Ambition--a Double-Edged Sword

Ambition.  We all need it to some extent because without it very little would be accomplished.   However, for all the good ambition can bring, it can also develop into a deadly trap.  Ambition can drive us to achieve the impossible, or it can completely destroy us and those around us.  Lee Strobel's novel takes a hard look at both the positive and negative effects of ambition.

Before I discuss Strobel's novel, his first, let me say that I was a bit skeptical.  I've read many of Strobel's other nonfiction works such as The Case for Christ, The Case for Creation, and The Case for Faith, just to name a few.  I'm a Lee Strobel fan.  His nonfiction writing is deep, and, quite frankly, not an easy read because it's so packed with research.  It's fascinating.  Strobel was an atheist who set out to prove Christ was a myth and ending up encountering Jesus!  His book The Case for Christ, outlines his journey to salvation. 

I've actually put off reading the novel because I fell into the trap of stereotyping an author.  I knew I enjoyed reading his nonfiction work but wondered if he would be able to hold my attention with a novel.  He did!  This novel is a page-turner!  My advice is to allow yourself plenty of reading time when you begin because you're not going to want to put it down.

The novel follows the pastor of a modern-day mega-church who is being pushed toward politics.  In this respect, it's a great read for those going into the ministry because the novel illustrates what can happen when pastors, who begin with a heart for ministry and people, become side-tracked by ambition and power.  One of the interesting aspects of the novel, and one that I believe increases the novel's versimilitude, is the fact that not everything turns out perfectly for everyone.  Strobel takes ambition, shows its corruptive power, but also shows how even those who become lost in it can experience restoration.  Not all the novel's characters are Christians; one of the main characters is an investigative reporter who is an atheist and sets out to "expose" the mega-church when is live-in girlfriend accepts Christ and moves out.  Given that the novel is set in Chicago, there is, of course, mob involvement. 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and recommend it for everyone.  I hesitate to include too many details of the plot because I don't want to spoil the read for anyone.  There are many lessons to be learned for everyone in this novel.  This is a novel you definitely want to put at the top of your reading list!

Christians Would Have No Fear

The doors to the church were locked.  The doors to my church.  I stopped by church last Friday afternoon in the middle of the afternoon to drop off a document for my husband, and the doors were all locked even though people were clearly inside.  I checked the side door and the front door. I never imagined a day would come when the doors to the church I've attended for over fifteen years would be locked in the middle of the afternoon. 

Don't get me wrong; I understand the reasoning behind locking the doors.  It's unsafe for the church secretary to be alone in the church; a crazed gunman could enter at any moment and kill all the staff; the list is endless. It could also have been an oversight; someone simply might have forgotten to unlock the doors when returning from lunch. 

Reflecting back, I can remember a day when I would stop by unannounced and visit with the pastor and/or staff. It wasn't something I did on a regular basis, but I always knew the doors to the church were open and I would be welcome.  As I made my way around the building looking for an open door, I couldn't help but wonder how I might react if I had a real crisis, or if I were a soul desperately seeking God.  I didn't have a problem, so the doors being locked was only an annoyance, but what if I was in a moment of personal crisis?  What if I were a soul hanging in the balance?  What would I have done if I were met with a locked door when people were clearly present?  Given my personality, I probably would have left, never to return. 

While I completely understand the need for security, I also question what seems to be a bit of paranoia.  Locking the doors in the relative small town we live in is seen as a necessity.  Really?    When did the church become fearful of evil?  When did we as Christians come to value our safety over the need to reach out to and help souls in need?  Unfortunately, I think too many Christians have become so immersed in culture that we've lost sight of the vision Christ set before us.  It's a problem common to churches across the country. 

Well, so much for my little rant.  I love my church, and I wouldn't consider going anywhere else.  We have a wonderful pastor, whom I think the world of.  He's been my pastor for over fifteen years.  In fact, my family and I joined our church just a few short months after he became pastor.  He has been a rock in so many family situations.  I don't blame him or the church for locking the doors; our culture has drifted so far from God that the moral compass of our society is broken. Not everyone who walks through the doors of a church has pure motives.  In defense of our church, I must admit that when we were part of a national prayer line we kept the doors locked when someone was alone in the church late in the evening (which included myself).   However, I'm also reminded of scripture that tells us God hasn't "given us the spirit of fear."  Perhaps it's time that we as Christians begin to stand boldly against evil and be the beacon of light and hope our churches are supposed to be.  Embrace an open door policy (to the extent possible) so that people in need have a safe haven. 

In an attempt to crawl out of the proverbial hole I've just dug myself into, let me say again that this is a wonderful church with wonderful people, and I know they mean no harm; safety and security is the intent.  I think the doors are only locked when the church secretary is alone, so it's understandable.  Our church is a missions-minded church, and we love people and want them to come to know Christ. I know that the church staff doesn't see locking the doors as a sign of fear, but it could be an obstacle someone who is lost, hurting, and seeking solice from the church that might prove to be too big to overcome.  I used this incident only as an example of the state of our society; we've experienced tragedies in our lifetime that past generations of church-goers would never dream possible.  Those tragedies have changed who we are as a people; we must safe-guard those around us.  Crazed gunman can't be allowed to walk into our churches and take the lives of innocent people, but we must also stand boldly in the face of evil!