Soul Surgeons

My husband works in an operating room.  There are many tools present which are required to perform a successful surgery.  Some are needed to make simple incisions, some are needed to clamp veins closed, some are needed to retract organs or excess flesh out the way so the surgeon can get to the problem area, some are needed to perform delicate steps, and some are used to crush and cut through bone.  The surgeon doesn’t try to cut through bone with tools that perform delicate procedures because it wouldn’t work.  Likewise, if the surgeon used one of the tools that crush bone to perform a delicate arterial procedure, the patient would probably die, the artery torn to irreparable shreds, and no amount of clamps would be able to keep the patient from bleeding out.  You have to use the right tools at the right steps, or the surgery will fail.  A successful surgeon must know how to use the proper tool at the proper time. 

Ministry is a work of soul surgery.  God is the penultimate soul surgeon, and when you study the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, you see a master at His craft.  Jesus knew what tool to use with each person, in each circumstance.  He knew when to be gentle and He knew when to be harsh.  Likewise, we must be careful not to crush people with a fiery, bold stance, when meekness and gentleness would be much more appropriate.  When I first began ministry, I was one of those who likened themselves to a modern-day Elijah or John the Baptist, ready to bust up into a room and eviscerate everyone into oblivion with God’s truth.  I was ready to make Custer’s last stand among God’s truth speakers, and everyone had better just get out of the way of my flamethrower.  It’s called the Elijah complex, and it is a season of spiritual pride that many never grow out of or get past.  The truth is, only Elijah is Elijah, and only John the Baptist is John the Baptist.  Each person God uses to do His kingdom work is unique and we must never attempt to emulate anyone but Jesus Christ.     

Isaiah tells us about Christ, that a “bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish.  He will bring forth justice for truth” (Isiah 42:3).  There are two things that Isaiah is communicating here about our Lord.  The first, is that He will minister tenderly to those who are bruised and gently to those who are losing hope.  To those who languished, Jesus was the Living Water they needed to refresh their souls.  That’s why so many sinners followed Him around.  Jesus handled their hearts with care while performing delicate surgery on their souls.  Secondly, Isaiah is telling us that the way Jesus ministers will not be with such force and grandiosity that it leaves a large wake in His path.  That He will endeavor to keep such a low profile that even when He passes through a marsh, not a twig will snap, His passing draft will not even be enough to blow out a smoldering wick.  We must be careful not to confuse impact with wake.  Jesus made a large impact while maintaining a quiet wake. 

Over the years, I had to learn the hard way that ministers are not cattle drivers, yelling and whipping a herd into formation.  Because sheep are not driven, they are led.  There is a time to lead them gently, so they may lie down in green pastures.  And there is a time to lead them courageously, to keep them safe from the wolves.  There is a time to sew delicate vessels back together, and there is a time to amputate.  And a successful soul surgeon must know how to use the proper tool at the proper time.

The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered…and no one was seeking or searching for them. (Ezekiel 34:4-6)

But you beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.  Be merciful to those who doubt, save others, snatching them out of the fire, and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by corrupted flesh. (Jude 1:20-23)

And we urge you brethren, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that no one repays a wrong for a wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. (1 Thess 5:14,15)