It was a hot day in May made especially ‘toasty’ by the garb I was sporting.  I was covered in black from head to toe.  No, I wasn’t going to a heavy metal concert.  It was my college graduation and my excitement couldn’t be hidden.  I had worked hard for four years (well, I’d goofed off a good bit too) and was now being rewarded with a piece of paper valued at over $40,000.  That piece of paper signified my intentions to save the world one worship service at a time.  I look back at that young guy, giggle a little, and (as a good southerner should) just say, “Bless his heart.”  Sure, I had taken a few tests and read a few books over those years but I was far from ready for what was to come.  Those first few months of ministry work were grueling, to say the least.  I was living by myself for the first time and paying bills on my meager paycheck.  If I’m being transparent, ‘adulting’ wasn’t as enjoyable as I had anticipated.  I remember attempting to do everything on my own and be what I thought everyone expected me to be.  I put on my red cape with the “S” emblazoned on it and fell into superhero mode.  I failed miserably.  I couldn’t do it on my own.  I was wearing myself down and burning myself out quicker than I ever expected.  Then I did something unthinkable.  I starting asking people for help.  I began empowering others by giving them authority that had been entrusted to me.  I wasn’t being lazy, rather, I had learned the importance of having a support system around me.  I learned that ministry work isn’t as much about what you can do on your own as much as it is working with those around you to accomplish a common goal.  By sharing the load I allowed them to be creative in their own ways while giving them ownership of the ministry they were a part of.

In Exodus 17 we find something similar going on.  The Israelites had encountered early opposition while in the desert. A group of wandering raiders known as the Amalekites had attacked the Israelites.  As Moses, Aaron, and Hur watched from a hill nearby, young Joshua led the troops into battle. Exodus 17:11 informs us, “So it came about when Moses held his hand up, Israel prevailed, and when he let his hands down, Amalek prevailed.”  Realizing what was going on, Aaron and Hur’s response was to allow Moses to sit on a rock while they held his arms up for him.  This continued until the Israelites totally defeated the Amalekites.  Moses was a strong, anointed, and gifted leader (despite his lack of confidence in himself) to the Israelites that accomplished a lot in God’s name.  But, he had weaknesses like the rest of us and needed help.  Coincidentally, none of us can do it all on our own either.  Over the past (nearly) twelve years I have served at the same church.  Our intention upon arrival was to hold up their arms.  Little did we know they would bless us more than we could have ever imagined possible. I have been surrounded by one of the most wonderful groups of Aaron’s and Hur’s I could have ever asked for.  Through my physical/mental/spiritual moments of weakness they have held my arms up when I didn’t have the strength to do it on my own.  For that, I will be eternally grateful.  Today, I honor those people.  I couldn’t begin to name them all but they are best known to my family as the Dillon Church of God.

D.C.O.G.- I am grateful to have found myself numbered among you over the years.  Thank you for teaching me, loving me, caring for me…and just putting up with me (I know you love my wife and children the most, ha ha!).  We may be separated by distance but you will always be close to my heart.  I despise ‘good-bye’s’ so I’ll just say, “See you later!”  And though my words will fail to fully express my thoughts and emotions–from the bottom of my heart—Thank you.  Just.  Thank you!