Today I don't want to quit

There are days that I want to give up pastoring. Other pastors would probably understand. The task is overwhelming, and there are few tangible signs that all the work is doing anything. The work is repetitive (do you know how fast Sundays seem to come?) and working with people can be challenging. This sounds like complaining. I suppose it is. Don't get me wrong - I love pastoring, despite all of this. It's just easy to question if you're making a difference or not. Yesterday, I visited a different church. The service was simple but profound. The message lacked flash but had substance and depth. The hour and a bit was enough to re-orient lives, and if we listened and really worked at applying what was talked about, those who were present would see their worlds truly changed. There was nothing flashy, but for a moment we saw what was real and saw, again, what really matters. For a minute we saw eternity. So it does matter, and because I saw someone who was faithful yesterday, I don't want to quit today. I may not be equal to the task, but I might be able to look at eternity, and help others to see it too, and that might be what matters most.

Comments

[george]

Right on Darryl, that's what its all about right? Where were you sitting though, I didn't see you:)

[Pernell]

Darryl, thanks for the reminder. I needed that today.

[Jim]

Hi Daryl, After reading your Blog I thought you might wish to read an article on John MacAurther's web page. The link is http://www.gty.org/index/john_article.php?id=35" rel="nofollow">http://www.gty.org/index/john_article.php?id=35 Jim

[Paul Johnston]

There is a story that recently circulated around our church that(readers digest condensed version) goes something like this. God told the man to push the rock. The man loved God, so he did. In fact he spent his entire life pushing, out of love for the Lord. Still the man couldn't help but notice that after a lifetime of pushing, the rock hadn't moved. Feeling both sorry for God, assuming that he had failed him and sorry for himself in that a lifetime of effort had been wasted, the man prayed. God listened lovingly to both the man's apology and complaint. After a healing silence, the Holy Spirit gently reminded the man that God had only asked the man to push the rock, not to move it. God, the Spirit told him, would move the rock when it was neccessary to his plan. Then the Spirit spoke of the great outpouring of joy and affection the man's efforts had inspired in heaven. He was told of choirs singing praises to God about his work. He was reminded that the only affirmation worth seeking was God's, not his own, not the world's. He understood that he had been affirmed through his loving faith and obedience, not his accomplishments. Prayer and it's intrinsic grace had refreshed and renewed the man. Rock on, pusher man.