First listen to the story behind the song.

Then listen to the song before reading today’s devotion.

Scripture
I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. 2 Corinthians 11:2-4

Observation
The first rule for being a best man is to never have an affair with future wife of your best friend. That blunt advice works not only for a wedding but also for a church. Christ is the groom and the church is the bride. Where does that leave the pastor? He is, what John the Baptist called himself, a “friend of the bridegroom.” The minister’s job is to connect the bride and the groom and to get out of the way.

For a man, female attention is flattering. I saw it happen in Starbucks last week, where a man in his seventies lapped up the attention of a young woman 50 years under his age. If it happens in romance, it can happen in ministry. The local church is called to worship, give, serve, submit, follow and more all for Christ. But when that is focused for even a moment on a leader it can feel invigorating. It may be as harmless as a thank you at the door that should be pointed toward the Lord but is pocketed by the preacher.

If the bride is immature, she can settle for the attention of a pastor rather than the affection of the Lord. The Corinthian christians were as immature as giggly girls at a junior high dance. Personalities meant more to them than Jesus. They took pride in their pastors rather than in the Lord. They felt important because their leaders seemed important. Immature “super-apostles” loved it and flirted with Jesus’ wife. Paul was aware and kept pointing their attention back to Jesus.

Application
I want Paul’s resolve in me. He cared for the bride but he never touched her. His job was to give her back to Jesus, ready for the big day, Paul saw himself as more than a best man of Jesus. He led as if he were the father of the bride. He raised his daughter, paid all the bills, and gave her away to another man. I’m thankful in life that I’ve had times that I have felt powerless. It helps me to keep detached when I lead. No one belongs to me. Everything is Christ’s. Success is giving everything back to him better than I found it.

Prayer
Father, today I ask for indifference in me while I make a difference for you. Amen.