The illusion of statistics, metrics, and measurements...


Now that technology has advanced so much, we can measure just about anything. In fact, modern sports seems to be dominated by stats and numbers, and metrics. Have you watched a Major League Baseball game lately? Sheesh...


But, it isn't just sports that have embraced all this; ministry has also been affected.

In a world of metrics, it’s easy to become obsessed with statistics and start to quantify every aspect of our lives. Stats can even become a type of scorekeeping between churches or pastors: “We have more members than you do.” We may never say those words out loud, but we think them; more than one person has made the mistake of measuring a ministry based on attendance. But God has His own method for measuring success.
 Barry, J. D., & Kruyswijk, R. (2012). Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan. Lexham Press.

For me, I find it a bit exhausting. However, I do get it. We like things we can quantify and control if you will. Unfortunately, that can leave little room for wonder, mystery, and, well, faith.

In 1 Chronicles 21, we read of King David taking a census of the people to know not just the population in general but the warrior potential specifically. God was not pleased by this bold lack of trust in the Lord's deliverance. He was leaning on numbers and stats instead of trusting God. Yikes. Bad things happened because of this mistake!

Lesson?


Maybe it's time we lean on our trust in the Lord instead of our own understanding?

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