Posted in Doorways and Pathways | Leave a Comment | Back to Main Blog Page

Since the Fall of humankind, weeds and thistles have attended all our work. When Nehemiah sought with others to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, there was local opposition and opposing leaders who did not want it to be done. We have to figure out if these opposable minds are to be considered as mere mosquitos and annoyances or whether they have real power to trip us up - put a stick in the spokes of our bike-wheels, so to speak.

Weeds, thistles, opposition, adversaries - there will always be lots of reasons in any ministry why we 'can't get there from here.' Actually we can. We can still get there, the Lord being our helper. God's purposes will prevail (He is not biting His nails, worrying and wondering how each day will turn out). His resources are not lacking, His Spirit is not unable, His arm is not short.

Having a perspective of the Real is necessary in all ministry. To somehow see by faith the Eternal Real is essential. To know that - as the ancient Celtic prayer has it: 'Bidden or not bidden, God is present' will be a heartening, faith-filling remembrance. To have someone pray for us, as did the Old Testament prophet Elisha for his ministry colleague - 'O Lord, open your servants eyes!' - is a wonderful gift, for, indeed around about us though unseen are the angels and armies of God and chariots of fire.

Paul saw the opportunities AND he saw the problems. He was not an escapist nor an alarmist but a realist but his reality included the life of the Spirit, the world of the mysterious but real power of God. He knew that sometimes the fruit comes because of the soil of the soil, the thistles, thorns (in the flesh), the shipwrecks, the beatings, the people who wish you and what you're about dead, and accordingly throw stones.

There are lots of reasons for giving up, going home, retreating, moving on (sometimes it's God's timing: move on.). But there are also (for people of faith) lots of reasons for keeping on, not giving up, persevering, enduring, seeing an as yet not realized city, land or ministry that is of God, one of and springing from the Heavenlies. A far better country, a far better home, a far better ministry than we have yet seen lies ahead.

There are many reasons why we may never see that, get there, make it or survive - let alone thrive. On the other hand, who knows but what God may want to do something wonderful, mysterious, powerful, astounding, lasting in and through this very place, at this time, in this situation -- through us -- that will last the ravages and reversals of time? Something that will, in fact, remain even into the Age to come.

0 comments

Name
Email
Comment
	To help limit spam please enter in the word that you see above