It's not that I've forgotten about blogging or that I haven't had any unique thoughts to share with the world, it's just that things haven't quite worked out for blogging updates over the past few weeks. I have a series of blogs coming down the pipeline of issues dealing with faith and the resurrection of Christ, but that's for another day. Today I just want to express my thoughts on the privilege of ministry.
If you're in any kind of Christian ministry then I think you can appreciate the emotional drain that it can become on a person. I have certainly had my days of wondering why I even decided to work in the Church. I have even jokingly suggested that people should avoid ministry if at all possible. Why? It's hard work, and there's always a critic… not to mention, people's souls are on the line! Sometimes I think it would be nice to have a nine to five job that never came home with me and where people didn't complain if things weren't done the way they like. Unfortunately that isn't an option when God calls a person to ministry.
I think some of the most worn out, tired, and depressed people I have ever met are those involved in ministry. If you're not careful, it can definitely take its toll on you.
But what about the joys of ministry? I think God allows leaders in the Church to experience enough complaints to keep them humble and enough joys to keep them from giving up.
This afternoon was one of the moments I consider to be a joy. I picked two kids up from school and took them to eat pizza and play Settlers of Catan. We hung out and had fun, and then at the end of our time the conversation turned to a challenge of maintaining a steady relationship with God. And that was considered work! As I drove home afterward I was struck with the reality that God allows us to participate with Him in reaching people. He could have selfishly done it on His own (after all, God doesn't truly need our help), but He chose me to be a part of that work. I consider it a privilege, and that's a lesson I cannot forget.
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