Ministry is difficult. Ministry humbles you. Ministry stretches you. Ministry can exhaust you. Already knowing this, the Lord has called us to be a people united in one body, making disciples of all nations, completing the good works set before us, sharing the gospel and our lives with one another, and glorifying Him in everything we say and do. The Lord didn’t call us to the easy life. The Lord didn’t call us to follow Him only on some days. The Lord didn’t call us to just add some of his teachings to our worldview. The Lord has called us to be a people of a particular sort, denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Him.
In humility, Christ came down and showed us the way as He called us to follow Him. He knows the exhaustion, the pain, the heartache that comes with ministry even to a greater degree than we will ever know. Mark 6 gives us great insight into the difficult, exhausting ministry life of Jesus and the apostles. In the movement of the story in verses 30-33, Jesus and the apostles are trying to escape via boat to go “to a desolate place and rest a while.” They were so bombarded by people they hadn’t even had the chance to eat. As they were in the boat trying to get away, people saw them, recognized them, and ran on foot to beat them to their destination bringing with them a ginormous crowd. In verse 34 we see Jesus exemplify one of the most important traits of ministry life, compassion. Now, hold that thought while we look at Galatians 6.
***Galatians 6:9-10***
“9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
– Galatians 6:9-10 // ESV
In our exhaustion, it is all too easy to become weary of doing good. More than just tiredness, there may be almost a resistance towards doing good. You might feel entirely overwhelmed, trying to get away just to rest for a little bit and yet the need keeps coming. That desire for rest, time spent alone with the Lord, is a good thing. Yet let us not grow weary of doing good.
When we’re exhausted, weary, and weak, this is when compassion continues to show up and show off. This is when Christ’s grace continues to be sufficient for us. This is when Christ’s power continues to be made perfect in our weakness. This is when we continue to experience His compassion in our lives and get to share that with others. This is when we continue to do good to everyone as we have the opportunity.
Friends, the harvest is coming in due time. Don’t give up. Don’t try and do it in your own strength. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t grow weary of doing good. Just as you don’t neglect rest, don’t neglect compassion. Sow to the spirit, that is, do everything by Him and for Him.
You and I, we’re called to this ministry life that is incredibly difficult, humbling, stretching, exhausting, and fulfilling. Oh my brothers and sisters, “this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” Don’t grow weary of doing good, rest in the Lord’s perfect strength, and keep looking ahead to that harvest of things eternal that is coming in due time.
Song of the Day
Please be encouraged by the song, “Worn” by Tenth Avenue North
May we seek to glorify the Lord in everything we do, pointing nothing to ourselves but all to Him!
