We Never Give Up

"All of this is for your benefit.

And as God's grace reaches more and more people, 

there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.

That is why we never give up…"

2 Corinthians 4:15-16

Sunday after Sunday they show up with a smile. They extend their hand and ask how you are doing. They are faithful. Pastors, youth pastors, children's ministers, Sunday school teachers and music ministers selflessly listen and serve. Many times we look at that smile and extended hand and think, "This guy's got it all together." What we don't know is that he may be struggling with a rebellious teenager. She may have just found out she has cancer. They may have an adult child who doesn't want to have any contact with them. His aging father may not make it through the week.  Are they covering their struggles in order to fake a happy life? No, they are choosing to set aside their personal needs because of the importance and the magnitude of the message they have to bring. "All of this is for your benefit."(vs 15) 

Any person in ministry will tell you, "Look, I am human just like you." Ministers and Sunday school teachers have struggles with finances, health, raising a family, caring for aging parents and stress just like the rest of us. In verse 18 Paul says, "So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." On a daily basis, ministers must choose to look at the here and now and remember to focus on the eternal.

Does this "eternal focus" erase the present struggles? No, it doesn't. Let me challenge you to do three things this week. (1) Pray for your church staff. (2) Send a note or text of encouragement to them. (3) Check your own focus. Are you focusing on the present through the eyes of eternity? (4) When you feel like throwing in the towel, remember why "...we never give up."

May God receive all the glory.

Amen