Tim Madison, who was elected president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia last month, was elected chair of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board Dec. 1. This is his address to the board that day.
The familiar words we have learned to call the Great Commission are fitting as we begin another year of work as members of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board: “Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Tim Madison
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In these familiar words we are promised the Lord’s presence as we carry out the work we have been commissioned to do. We have seen and heard even today of the work we are able to do together as Virginia Baptists. Reaching beyond our borders to take the message of the gospel to people we partner with around the globe. Let us never underestimate the promise of the Lord’s presence as we carry the Lord’s work in the world.
In times of economic crisis and all of the negative consequences associated with financial difficulties it would be easy for us to circle the wagons and seek only to survive and preserve the institution. How arrogant we are to believe we can limit the power of God’s presence with us by seeking to limit our vision by the measures we use in this world! God transcends our human limitations and walks with us if we only by faith would allow him to lead.
Someone once described their journey with God in this way:
At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like the president. I recognized his picture when I saw it, but I didn’t really know him.
But later on when I recognized this Higher Power, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that God was in the back helping me pedal.
I don’t know just when it was that he suggested we change places, but life has not been the same — since life with my Higher Power, that is. God makes life exciting.
But when he took the lead, it was all I could do to hang on! He knew delightful paths, up mountains and through rocky places and at breakneck speeds. Even though it looked like madness, he said, “Pedal!”
I worried and was anxious and asked, “Where are you taking me?” He laughed and didn’t answer, and I started to learn trust.
I forgot my boring life and entered into adventure. When I’d say, “I’m scared,” He’d lean back and touch my hand.
He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, our journey, God’s and mine.
And we were off again. He said, “Give the gifts away; they’re extra baggage, too much weight.” So I did to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and our burden became light.
At first I did not trust him in control of my life. I thought he’d wreck it. But he knows bike secrets. He knows how to make it lean to take sharp corners, dodge large rocks, and speed through scary passages.
I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places. I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion.
And when I’m sure I just can’t do any more, he just smiles and says, “Pedal!” (Illustrations Unlimited edited by James H. Hewett: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton, Illinois 1988)
We have the opportunity to pedal with partnerships in South Africa and the International Baptist Convention. We also can pedal with our Partnership Family in Brazil, China, India, the European Federation, the Baptist World Alliance and many more. We can pedal with our partners right here in Virginia as well. Whether it be to minister to children through Hope Tree Family Services, students through Bluefield, Virginia Intermont, the academies, the John Leland Center and BTSR, or caring for people in their golden years through the Virginia Baptist Homes scattered throughout Virginia also through the work of the Mission Board itself, we have a responsibility to minister in the name of Jesus Christ.
When there are needs in our churches on our college campuses, we need to be there. When there are communities where churches need to be started, where ministers need help, where partnerships need to be strengthened, we need to be there. Where there are natural disasters, we need to be there with food and drink and supplies and support. Wherever there are needs, we need to be there ministering in the name of Jesus Christ.
The world cannot control the power of the gospel to change lives, we only have to pedal.
Never let it be said that when our hour came, we stood by and did not do our part. Never let it be said our faith was not up to the challenges before us. Never let it be said when the challenges were great, we circled the wagons and let the world pass by without hearing the greatest love story ever told.
In a large stone cathedral in Europe there was a large, magnificent pipe organ. It was a Saturday afternoon, and the sexton was making one final check of the choir and organ loft high in the balcony at the back of the church.
He was startled to hear footsteps echoing up the stone stairway, as he thought the doors were all locked and no one was around. He turned to see a man in slightly tattered traveling clothes coming toward him.
“Excuse me, sir,” the stranger said. “I have come from quite a distance to see the great organ in this cathedral. Would you mind opening the console so that I might a get a closer look at it?” The custodian at first refused, but the stranger seemed so eager and insistent that he finally gave in.
“May I sit on the bench?” That request of the stranger was met with absolute refusal by the cathedral custodian. “What if the organist came in and found you sitting there? I would probably lose my job!” But again the stranger was so persistent that the sexton gave in. “But only for a moment,” he added.
The custodian noticed that the stranger seemed to be very much at home on the organ bench, so he was not completely surprised when he was asked by the stranger to be allowed to play the organ.
“No! Definitely not!” said the custodian. “No one is allowed to play it except the cathedral organist.”
The man’s face fell, and his deep disappointment was obvious. He reminded the custodian how far he had come and assured him that no damage would be done. Finally, the sexton relented and told the stranger he could play the instrument, but only a few notes and the he would have to leave.
Overjoyed, the stranger pulled some stops and began to play. Suddenly the cathedral was filled with the most beautiful music the custodian had ever heard in all his years in that place, the music seemed to transport him heavenward.
In what seemed all too short a time, the dowdy stranger stopped playing and slid off the organ bench and started down the stairway. “Wait!” cried the custodian. “That was the most beautiful music I have ever heard in the cathedral. Who are you?”
The stranger turned for just a moment as he replied, “Mendelssohn.” The man was none other than Felix Mendelssohn, one of the greatest organists and composers of the nineteenth century.
The cathedral sexton was alone now in that great stone edifice, the beautiful organ music still ringing in his ears. “Just think,” he said softly, “I almost kept the master from playing his music in my cathedral!” (Illustrations Unlimited edited by James S. Hewett: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton, Illinois 1988).
Each one of us has the opportunity to have a personal relationship with the Master of the universe, Jesus Christ. Let’s not keep him from “playing his music” and being Master of our lives!
Our world is in a state of crisis, confusion, and change. Although we live in a highly technological age, the basic needs and issues of life are still moral and spiritual.
Let’s not keep the Master from playing his music in our cathedrals as we seek to serve him with the responsibilities we are given.
Tim Madison is pastor of Mechanicsville Baptist Church in Mechanicsville.