Many of us have different hobbies and goals that we become passionate about. We think about them constantly, everything we see or hear reminds us of that passion, and we work hard to improve ourselves in that area. But how often do we let ourselves get down when things get hard? When we get stuck in a rough spot or we see ourselves fail, why do we beat ourselves up? When we overcome obstacles we become stronger. Every goal requires effort and sacrifice before it becomes accomplished.
Every man and woman who is in ministry has a goal, and that goal is to share Christ. We all want to teach out of the scriptures so the people we teach will mature in their faith. We want to guide others to make ethical decisions in life especially when it comes to all the trends that flows through our society. But often times ministry can get discouraging. We can spend hours upon hours planning lessons, volunteering our time in churches, and taking care of people, yet we still may not see a change in their hearts. We face the rough patches of ministry that can cause stress and make us want to give up the idea of evangelizing. Even then I must urge you to NEVER give up that goal of transforming others.
Paul is a great biblical example of someone who stays driven towards his goal even though he goes through trials that many of us will never go through. Consider what he says in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28:
“…in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of CONCERN FOR ALL THE CHURCHES.”
Do you see what Paul is saying? I couldn’t even imagine going through persecution like Paul did and persevering through it. The thing that drove him the most during those times was his concern for the churches. Paul saw the bigger picture of what his Goal was, and that goal was to share Christ. His passion drove him so much that even though he went through blood, sweat, and tears, none of the hardships mattered. His priority was to see the churches grow and mature in their faith. Do you have enough passion for sharing the gospel, that you would make the necessary sacrifices to see people grow in their faith?
Chris
