Life As A Minion

I know someone who is on the Family Radio End of the World Caravan. Right now, there is a group of people traveling the country and handing out tracts that tell all of us to repent because the end of the world is happening on Saturday, May 21st at 6PM local time. Yes my friends, the end is going to happen by time zone, so if you want to exist a few hours longer, get on a plane to Hawaii right now. This acquaintance of mine is not a deep thinker, and so he has fallen for the end of the world sales pitch hook, line and sinker. If it doesn’t happen I hope he’s not too disappointed. I know that if I’m still breathing after 6PM this Saturday, I won’t be too upset. But it did get me thinking about being one of the minions of a famous person. Just what is it like and why do we do it?

I have been a devoted follower at various times in my life. Every time the Billy Graham Crusade has come to my area, I have volunteered and worked faithfully to save as many lost souls as possible. I am also proud to say that I am a minion of Jesus Christ and will be forever, regardless of whether the world ends this week or not.

There is a lot of personal satisfaction being a minion, joining a crusade that is bigger than you. There is camaraderie, friendship and shared sacrifice that provides for a lot of emotional uplift. But there is a downside to it as well. Devoted followers by definition do not make personal decisions. They do what the leader tells them to do. The Billy Graham Crusade trains its counselors and gives us a book that brings consistency to the message we deliver to people who come forward to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This approach makes sure we stick to correct Christian doctrine when counseling someone. It also takes away any unique approach we may have developed in delivering our message of salvation. Minions need to follow the rules, but minions may lose themselves along the way.

Jesus said; “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Therefore we believers are devoted followers of God’s laws. However, Jesus also said this; “You are the salt of the earth…”, “You are the light of the world…”. In other words, we are important. We are made in God’s image, so we are unique personalities and our uniqueness is an important part of God’s work in the world. We are commanded to do God’s will, but in our own individual ways. Otherwise God would have made us all robots, and we would be unquestioning minions marching to the eternal drums of heaven. Instead, we are to be devoted followers, making decisions to use the gifts God has given us to the best of our abilities. Being a minion can be fun, but being an individual is why God made us in the first place.

I wonder what will happen if 6PM Saturday comes and goes without incident. I suppose some of the minions of Family Radio will wander away, searching for some other event to add meaning to their lives. Others will stay loyal and rationalize the whole episode away. I do know this; I will continue to be a faithful follower of my Heavenly Father. And I will continue to listen to His voice speaking to me through his Holy Spirit. However, I already know what the message will be; Do Your Best with the Tools I have Given to You and Know that I will Always be With You.

Now that’s a bandwagon I can get on board with.

God Bless You,

Pastor Bill