The life and ministry of a church are exciting but also bring along with them the expectations of individual members as well as those in the community and beyond. It is important to remember that God has called us to be faithful and not necessarily successful.
To many, this may come as a shock with all that is written and advertised regarding successful churchmanship. However, we must learn from the example of Jeremiah. In Jeremiah chapter one, God spoke to His prophet stating:
“ ‘Now, gird up your loins, and arise, and speak to them all which I command you. Do not be dismayed before them, lest I dismay you before them. Now behold, I have made you today as a fortified city, and as a pillar of iron and as walls of bronze against the whole land, to the kings of Judah, to its princes, to its priests and to the people of the land. And they will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you,’ declares the Lord.”(1:17-19 NASV)
God commanded Jeremiah to perform a task. God encouraged Jeremiah by promising protection. God did not, however, promise success. Jeremiah was to proclaim God’s judgement upon the people and land of Judah and call for repentance, but God forewarned Jeremiah that the people would, “fight against you.” The outcome was a failure if evaluated through the lens of modern pragmatism, but God was successful in accomplishing His purpose. Time and again God has called men and women to service and in each scenario God only required faithfulness. The account of Jeremiah greatly exemplifies this.
The Apostle Paul had similar words to say. In 1 Corinthians 3:6,7, Paul proclaimed:
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.” (NASV)
God was, and is still, responsible for the growth and success of any endeavor. Paul made sure that the Corinthian church understood this important truth. It is important that we understand as well.
Let’s remember that our faithfulness to God is essential. People may question, results may be dismal, but God only asks for faithfulness. God may orchestrate a massive effort to bring one soul into the kingdom; this can be interpreted as an awful failure in the eyes of people, but in the plan of God it is glorious success. Let’s love God! Let’s enjoy God! Let’s be faithful to God! Let’s trust that God will accomplish all that He intends.
For the glory of God and the good of fellow souls,
Doug Richey, Pastor-Teacher
Copyright 2006, Doug Richey
112 Pisgah Drive, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024, USA
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