A
few weeks ago
a Facebook post included a video of a pastor sharing his frustration with the
congregation not changing or attempting to change and the futility he felt in
his position. It is intended to be funny and it is. Unfortunately it is funny
because it contains a level of truth. Pastoring or any ministry leader can and
does find that they are cat herders. Yes, you read right we are herding cats.
We have two cats at our house and we cannot do anything with them. They only
respond when they want something hmmmmmm. Watch it below!
The role of ministry is to lead
volunteers to change. It’s almost impossible to lead employees through change
even with a paycheck but try that with volunteers? The frustration is real as
many ministry leaders prepare and labor to do their best only to have folks
listen half-heartedly or not at all and then be critical that it was too long,
too short, not the right thing etc…you know. It’s frustrating. I have often
said ministry will make you an atheist. It’s true to a point.
The point being those in
ministry often only see the bad, problems and difficulties. We do not often see
the changes that the Gospel is making in an individual or at least don’t see
them often enough. The hardest part is it is the most difficult to see the
change in ourselves. The change we need most is a slow process. It is like
trying to make a ½ inch board into a ¼ inch board with sandpaper. Yes, it can
be done. Yes, it will take a very long, long time. Time is what God has because
he lives outside of it. He is willing to smooth us out over a lifetime if
needed. He’s got all of eternity if he chooses. We are in such a hurry that’s
the frustration.
Last night I was up a number of
times just napping in between being uncomfortable both inside and out. I could
tell you it was due to eating too late or the wrong thing or some other
perfectly reasonable excuse but that would be a lie. The truth is I was
thinking about several things I am juggling at this point in life and being
frustrated that I cannot resolve any of them at this time. I wonder who the cat
is and who is the herder now? As I tried to get comfortable I would think about
this and wonder how to solve that and so-on-and-so-on-and-so… Sound familiar?
Raise your hand and say, “Hi my name is__________ I’m frustrated.” Why?
The age old question. The one raised
by Job and never answered by God is why? The same one we raise and never have
answered. In my case why was answered “little faith.” My frustration seemed to
be about the lack of completion. I was/am (a little) frustrated that I can’t
seem to get things done. The harder I try, the more obstacles surface that have
to be cleared and I am tired of clearing obstacles. How about you. Jesus has an
answer,
“Are you tired? Worn
out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover
your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with
me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything
heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live
freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 The Message
You
saw the “I” and the “me” pronouns and a lack of Jesus in that right? When I
prayed this morning about these things I went to sleep. Funny how that works!
In
HIS service and yours,
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