My wife talks to me about a problem and I have to give a solution. She reminds me that she doesn't want an answer, she wants a "listen." I remind her that my ministerial task is to give answers. Her response is that she wants a husband, not a minister.

Ministers are often seen as problem solvers. I enjoy helping a person solve problems, partly because it's rewarding to be the "hero." In other words, there are times when "I want to tell you what to do."

It is natural to desire the "master" role. Children tell siblings what to do. Husbands rule rather than lead. A church tells another how to behave or what to believe. We at tempt to control behavior under the guise of "looking out for your best interest." The sad thing is that we want to "play God."

Though we live in a community, God's wonderful gift is that he allows us to live individually. A similar gift is that a person is free from the obligation to play the "judge" in life's trials. God is big enough to provide answers and strength for each, and each is significant enough to stand on his own.