Pastoral Ministry Is Difficult
I was reminded this morning by a dear brother that pastoral ministry is difficult. This may sound trite or at least obvious, but it seems to me that it is something we all too easily forget. If we are striving to love people well, really involving ourselves in the stuff of their lives rather than retreating to the safety of an ivory tower, then we should expect to be hurt, disappointed, frustrated, and sometimes abused. We should also remember that chief among our ministry difficulties is our own battle with indwelling sin. Our own shortcomings, mistakes, and ruling idolatries can weigh us down, make us weary of the fight, and drive us into deep despair. It is only by the constant remembrance of the gospel that we can see God’s light when our circumstances feel horrible. God allows all the heartache, both in terms of how others sin against us, and how we sin against them (and the Lord) — he allows it all to demonstrate his loving, indefatigable pursuit of our sanctification, really of our rescue. How humbling to know that the Lord is so interested in our rescue that he is willing to go to such great lengths to make us like Christ. It is his love for us and his passionate commitment to express his love for us that allows us not to become weary in the battle.