Yard work feels better to me than it ever has before. It’s not because I’m in better shape, I’m not. It’s not because I don’t have anything else to do; I’m never short on work.
It’s simply because I can see a finished product after I’m done.
You see, in the work of ministry, I rarely feel a feeling of accomplishment, not because the work isn’t rewarding and fulfilling, but because it is never finished.
In lawn work, there is an instant payoff in the form of a nice-looking trimmed lawn. In ministry, the rewards are mostly anticipated.
Don’t get me wrong, leading a soul to faith in Jesus, mission work involving mission organizations and preaching are all among the most personally rewarding sensations I’ve ever experienced, but they are also very minimal experiences. I don’t mean anything negative by the word minimal, I simply mean minimal in regards to the amount of time I spend doing these things in comparison to the amount of time I spend doing other things.
The other things I do in ministry work are critical, but not measurable. For instance, how do you measure the benefits of time spent in prayer, study and meditation on the Scriptures? Also, there is no way for me to measure your spiritual growth as a result of my teaching and preaching.
There is much in ministry that is not measurable, not by people anyway, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t important and it’s encouraging to know that following Jesus will be rewarded, but it’s anticipated rewards we look forward to, what Jesus referred to as “treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:20).” I have no idea what He means by “treasure,” but I believe what He says.
Following Jesus in humble obedience is one of the greatest types of evidence of our faith in Him, like Hebrews 11:8-10 says about Abraham:
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; 10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Abraham looked forward to the anticipated reward of living with God, but he didn’t realize his reward in his life on earth, in fact, much of his life was difficult. Can we, like Abraham, live lives of faithful obedience, by faith believing that God will fulfill the promises He’s made to those who will follow Him?
You cannot answer with words alone. Your answer will be evident in the examination of your life.
Much love!
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
