Receiving Glory!
Good Report!
Seen As True!
Those are three wonderful aspects of faithful ministry to those God has called to a life of serving Christ and His church. There will be many who shower you with glory. I have notebooks filled with hundreds and hundreds of notes, cards, and emails from people who shared with me amazingly kind words about my ministry in their lives. There will be times of good reports as people see how God is using your ministry and rejoice with you. And there will be many who will take notice of the purity and truth of your motives and desires and applaud your passion and energy for the Lord.
But those are not the only words Paul uses to describe life in ministry. Next to each of them he adds their painful and stinging counterparts:
Being Dishonored!
Having An Evil Report!
Being A Deceiver!
In ministry, these will become very true as well. Some may dishonor you. Some may spread evil reports about you. You may even be accused by others of being a deceiver. And make no mistake - these times hurt - they hurt real bad. There are two sides to ministry. Some will RESPECT you while others will RESENT you. Some will ADORE you while others will ATTACK you. How do you respond? You respond to both sides the same way:
Be HUMBLE - it's not about you!
Be FAITHFUL - it's all about God!
feel free to leave a comment or email me at skdistler@gmail.com
4 comments:
I have appreciated you being humbly faithful during this time of transition in your minstry life. Thanks for the example - Love you bro!
Thanks, Rick! And I have appreciated your friendship more than you'll ever know!!!
It is a pain, a hurt that only those of us who have experienced it will know. Every time it seems like the dust has settled, Satan sends a reminder with the goal of us abandoning our Lord. It is tough!
Anonymous - you are so correct. Trust me, I know. That is why so many pastors ultimately get out of ministry and some even abandon their faith completely. That's why to me the key is to STAY FAITHFUL. I have to control what I can control and leave what I can't control to God. And you are right - Satan loves to keep throwing in those hurtful reminders. But I have also found that in the midst of them I can also see the fingerprints of God in my life if I will take time to notice them. Stay faithful, my brother. Though I do not know who you are, you are in my prayers today! Feel free to also email me if you would like at skdistler@gmail.com
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