Over my life time I have worn many different hats. I wore a soldier’s helmet when I was in the service, a hard hat when I worked in a steel foundry, another hard hart as a equipment operator. I also wear the hat as a husband to my wife Pam, another hat as father to my son Jeremiah, a different hat as father-in-law to Stephanie, and an even different had as grandpa to my grandchildren Connor and Camryn. Plus, I wear the hat as pastor to our church.
How many different hats have you worn?
With each hat comes a different set of responsibilities. With some hats, there are many things we are held accountable for. All the hats we have worn in our past (and present) helps to define who we are today.
As a soldier, I made squad leader so I was responsible to the men under me including their training and safety.
As a factory worker, I was responsible for helping to put out a good product.
As a equipment operator, I was responsible to check out the loader and make sure it ran well.
As a husband, I am responsible to my wife to take care of her.
As a father, I was responsible to teach my son right from wrong.
As a father in-law, I am responsible to love our daughter in-law Stephanie as if she is our own daughter.
As a grandpa, I’m responsible to spoil my grandchildren and love them like there is no tomorrow.
And as a pastor, I am responsible to my church and my congregation that God has entrusted Pam and I to teach and help them to grow in God the best we can.
Passing the mantle
“2nd Kings 2:9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.”
There is joy in every hat that I wear. You might even call my hats “mantles.” So, just like Elisha we may get a double portion — or double responsibility.
Some of the hats I still wear helps me to remember that I am trusted by God to bear them.
One of the hats I wore that I liked so well, but I don’t have that physical hat anymore. However, I still wear one similar to it. It was called a steel pot: a heavy steel helmet that all soldiers wore. We used it to hold water so we could wash and shave. We also used out in the field as a seat to sit on or even a pillow to rest on.
Today, I am a soldier but this time for God. The helmet I wear now is the helmet of salvation just as every other child of God. Back then I carried a rifle for a weapon but today I carry my Bible. And it’s just as effective against the enemy as my rifle would have been. Back then, we had Flak Jackets to help protect us from fragments and shrapnel. Today, the Holy Ghost protects us from any fiery dart that is shot at us.
Ephesions 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
With each hat you wear there may come other accessories or equipment to go along with the Job. I already talked about my soldiers hat but what about the husband, father or the grandpas hat. With these hats comes the love of your wife, children and grandchildren, When I worked at Broderick’s I would come home and the dad in me would always have something for our son Jeremiah. It got to the point at one time he thought we made candy instead of a steel foundry. But that was all trying to be a good father. But as a pastor I draw on some many of the hats I have wore before. I love the people of our church, so I feel like a dad to some to some a brother and to some a grandpa. But to all a pastor who cares for their walk with God.
Pleasing God
“2nd Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
There is also a hat I wear everyday, the one a son wears: the hope of pleasing my Father. I want to get his approval, to talk to him daily, and to have a personal relationship with him.
By putting on the whole Armor of God, you’ll be able to take whatever the enemy throws your way. By being strong in the Lord, you’ll then help others to keep standing for God. And by studying the word of God, you can help lift up or and encourage others.