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No, not that Elon. Today’s meditation is about an Elon of the tribe of Zebulon, who was listed as one of Israel’s judges. All we know about him is that he judged for ten years and where he was buried.
Elon, who was from Zebulun, judged Israel after Ibzan. He judged Israel ten years. And when he died, he was buried in Aijalon in the land of Zebulun.
Judges 12:11-12
Two verses. That’s it.
No dramatic battles. No miraculous exploits. No lengthy narrative. We may surmise that, being buried in a Levite town, Elon was also a priest. Other than that, his life didn’t move any needles that we can see. Nothing heroic is mentioned and yet Elon served a vital role in the history of Israel. And because there is no mention of scandal, we can assume he did his job with integrity.
The church is filled with these kind of leaders. They are everywhere. We don’t really know much about them because their testimonies don’t show up in books, nor are their names dropped in conversations. They never see the big stage, don’t pastor big churches, and their sermons never go viral. They are, for all intents and purposes, unknown in their respective fields.
But not to God. He knows their names, and what they do, and how hard they struggle.
My February read is Pastor, Jesus Is Enough by Jeremy Writebol. The author takes the reader through the seven letters of Revelation, reminding us that they are, first and foremost, addressed to the pastors of those churches. Most of the letters do not flatter the pastors or their congregations.
Sandwiched between the dead church (Sardis) and the lukewarm church (Laodicea) was the only church whose pastor received Jesus’s glowing commendation.1 He served the church in Philadelphia admirably, even bravely, standing strong in the face of overwhelming opposition.2
Jesus told him, I know you only have a little bit of power in the place where you are ministering. It feels like you’re all alone. You feel inadequate and useless. I assure you, you are not. I picked you. I put you where you are because I want to do God-things through you.
“Jesus doesn’t love the pastor of the big church more than the one who has a smaller, less-well-known ministry. He doesn’t delight more in the international traveler and evangelist who speaks to millions than he does the guy who speaks to the same fifty people every Sunday. His affections aren’t attuned more to the brightest young stars in evangelicalism than they are to the unknown and forgotten pastors who labor faithfully in insignificant places.”
—Jeremy Writebol, Pastor, Jesus Is Enough
Hey you. Yes, you. This post is for you even if you’re not a pastor. God sees you. He sees you in that lonely place where you are faithfully serving the King in spite of your weakness, opposition from others, anonymity, thanklessness, and lack of reward. Nobody else may see what you’re doing and what you’re up against, but your Heavenly Father does.
Most of us will live “Elon lives.” We won’t make headlines. We won’t move any needles. Our follower count will look tame by any metric. But we matter by God’s. So we’ll keep calm and carry on. We’ll simply show up — day after day, year after year — faithfully doing the work God has placed before us. We’ll raise children, serve our neighbors, love our families, and quietly point others to God. And that matters.
God doesn’t measure significance the way the world does. He doesn’t need your life to be spectacular to call it meaningful. He’s calling us to be faithful.
Elon judged Israel for ten years. That was enough. Your quiet faithfulness is enough too.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be faithful even when no one notices. Remind me that significance in Your kingdom isn’t measured by applause but by obedience. Give me the grace to serve You well in the ordinary, everyday moments of my life. Amen.
Selah, beloved.
Amen.
So thankful for the men and women who keep plodding along finding their joy in Jesus alone.
So thankful for all the Lord has ministered to me through your words. Such powerful words. Living words that slice and mold.
Your life is lived for the glory of God, so honorably, my dear sister Marie. Your kindness means so much to me! I am humbly grateful that the Lord is allowing me to still have a pastoral place in your heart. Nothing brings me greater joy.
Amen. “You feel inadequate and useless. I assure you, you are not.” Reminds me of when my wife was recently working on a 2000-piece puzzle. She was quite worried that she could not find a uniquely shaped piece and that it was lost. I joked, “We’ll cut a piece of cardboard to fit and paint it.” She did not appreciate my humor. She did eventually find the hidden piece. Every piece had a value and purpose. All 2000 together as designed made something worth keeping.
I too married someone who is quite fond of puzzles. Myself, I don’t have the patience for it! But I know by watching Sandy how vital that last piece of the puzzle is. If it’s missing, the picture is imperfect. But the actual placement of that last piece is cause for celebration. When I read your words, and that great illustration, it made me think that our Lord celebrates all of us ‘single pieces’ of a 2000- piece puzzle. We all matter to God. Amen, Jon.
Dear Scott,
Reading your post reminded me of this poem which reminded me of you… “THANK GOD FOR YOU”.
Good friend of mine.
Seldom is friendship such as thine;
How very much I wish to be
As helpful as you’ve been to me—
THANK GOD FOR YOU.
Of many prayer guests, one thou art
On whom I ask God to impart
Rich blessings from His storeroom rare,
And grant to you His gracious care.
THANK GOD FOR YOU.
When I recall, from time to time,
How you inspired this heart of mine:
I find myself inclined to pray.
God bless my friend this very day—
THANK GOD FOR YOU.
So often, at the throne of Grace,
There comes a picture of your face:
And then, instinctively, I pray
That God may Guide you all the way—
THANK GOD FOR YOU.
Someday, I pray with you to stand
Before the throne, at God’s right hand;
And to say to you—at journey’s end:
“Praise God, you’ve been to me a friend—
THANK GOD FOR YOU.” —
Joseph Clark
Thank you for your encouragement and love.
My love, always. Brett
Well, it’s getting a might bit dusty in this room where I am reading your words, Brett. I am humbled to the core. Thank you for sharing that beautiful poem with me. And thank you also for being one of God‘s choice, obedient, and faithful shepherds. Your Heavenly Father is pleased with you, and I am so blessed by you. Love to you, my friend, in earnest.
Amen, brother. Lord, help me be an Elon. And, it doesn’t matter where you bury me. (Although, somewhere near Pasture Scott would be perty cool)…
Reminds me of a song…
“Well, if they dress me like a pauper
Or if they dine me like a prince
If they lay me with my fathers
Or if my ashes scatter on the wind, I don’t care.
But when I leave, I’m wanna go out like Elijah
With a whirlwind to fuel my chariot of fire
And when I look back on the stars
It’ll be like a candlelight in Central Park
And it won’t break my heart to say goodbye…
Jordan is waiting…
Jordan is waiting…
— Rich Mullins, “Elijah”, 1986
I remember once a long time ago going to a Rich Mullins concert and I remember him saying something about this young preacher boy named Tim Wallace. “He’s the real deal,“ he said. “If you need to find a good church, find one where that boy is going to be. He will lead you to Jesus.” Okay, that story is apocryphal. But it’s still true whether he said it or not. I love you, Timothy. I’m so thankful the Lord has given me a friend like you.
Such an encouraging read for all serving the Lord in whatever capacity or place! Each is uniquely designed by God to serve there faithfully. May we live out Hebrews 12:1,2 with endurance the
“race” set before us with our eyes fixed (glued, I like to say) on Jesus!
Thanks a ton, Beth! Our Lord knows that this has been much of the metric of my ministry life, especially in the last 10 or 15 years. What you said about “gluing” our eyes to Jesus has been one of the most saving works of Christ in my life in this season. His approval is all that matters! Thank you as always for your valuable input.
So thankful that God gave me a Pasture and a Pastor that knows that Heaven’s applause is the better than anything on earth. I know there are some past and present children’s workers that need the reminder that God sees them. This was so good. Love you friend !!
Fred and I know for certain we would never be able to function in our gifts effectively without folks like you on the front lines serving the church to God’s glory so tirelessly and joyfully. I could never put into words how important your support and friendship and expertise means to us and how grateful I am personally. It’s been/was an honor to “do church” with you, KaKa. I still see the campus flooded with children on those Wednesday nights all those years ago! You and the entire children’s ministry team were so vital to the health of our body and the futures of those kids. Amen. I’m so glad I got to witness it. Love you so.
Brother Scott. Doesn’t that “title” sound like 70/80s!)
Thanks again for the encouraging words, This time regarding Elam.
Thought about you this week as I am home recovering from prostate removal surgery (cancer was confined to prostate so expecting a very good outcome).
As I lay here grumbling a bit about the pain and my one week of dealing with a catheter- I thought about the countless decades of far more suffering that you have endured.
I know you are not looking for the light to shine on you and your circumstances but just know that God used your experience and story once again this week to encourage me. So be reminded that I SEE YOU and far more importantly HE SEES YOU!
Blessings to you my friend. And hey, while I am down this week I am finishing your book!
Cleve
Cleve, my good and faithful brother, how wonderful it is to hear from you once again! So many great memories, so much high respect for you; you’re definitely one of the good ones from my past. I appreciate you taking the time to read this post and I’m thankful if you received any encouragement from it. I am praying for your full recovery from your recent surgery (we are starting to have all these old people problems, aren’t we, and I can’t figure out why).
Thank you for every time you entrusted any bit of ministry to me; it was always a privilege to come to West Virginia and share in your ministry lives. But you’re not there anymore, if memory serves. I pray you and Kim will be blessed beyond measure where you are and if you have the time, Sandy and I would love to get any updates from your lives. Be well, my friend. Your words really touched my heart, truly and humbly so.
Grace and peace –
Such a beautiful message that you teach and live as only you can…
not recognized… but known…
not applauded… but adored…
not fan worthy… but faithful
not me… but HIM… and HE is TRULY ENOUGH!
May it be true of us. May it be true!
P.S. Burial location is not super important… but please don’t let it be the New River Cemetery!! (Just kidding… sort of…)
Love to you and Sandy always!
Kelli, I wish you could know how many times you have encouraged me through the years. I count it one of my greatest joys to know you as a dear friend – indeed, one of my very best friends. Thank you for shining Jesus to Sandy and me and everyone you come into contact with. Your prayer life has helped change our lives for the better. So much love to you and Alan; we are counting the days when we get to spend some quality time with you once again. Soon! Love you. Grace and peace –