Struck Down but Not Destroyed

Being a pastor is hard! One thing that can be guaranteed in “The Ministry” is that it will be a mixed blessing. All anyone (all of us humans) can ever know in their life’s journey is a mixed blessing. Life for the “called”, however, can be quite bittersweet. The glory of the good news is often met by the woes of the world. There is indifference and disdain. There is ignorance and apathy, disinterest and lukewarmness, heedlessness and disregard.

At the same time, we can be met with a joyful eagerness. Many of the people we serve will gladly hear the gospel of Christ. There can be enthusiasm and wonder, readiness and desire, and love and devotion! Many come truly seeking the “shot in the arm” a good sermon can give. Many express appreciation for the “spirit” we bring into the midst – a spirit of righteousness and truth, of faith and sincerity, of honesty and integrity. Often, people will “clean up their act” when we enter the scene. While some will just not care or walk away.

Perhaps, in this book, I am writing about the impossibility of our task. We are to bring the enlightenment of Christ into a world that seems so full of darkness. We are to orchestrate the conversion the souls of men and women who often would rather not have to change. We have all the best answers and too few are asking any questions. We hope to excite people with the knowledge that excites us. We want to teach people something good who think they already know everything. I know, for example, a wonderful environmentalist who sees the obvious dangers of continuing with “business-as-usual” concerning the impending disasters of climate change in our current world, and who struggles with his efforts to change the ways people think. Everyone who seeks to nurture the visionary possibilities by which the world needs to be convinced, often feels as though they are going against the tide. But, we, who have the vision, can feel the tide changing. A new and brighter day is on the horizon.