Worth it All
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1,2 KJV)
There are times in our lives when we grow so weary of our daily schedules. We wish at times that we could just go on a vacation for a year. For those of us who have committed our lives to Jesus in full time service, we grow weary of criticism, misunderstandings, and being told what we are doing wrong.
I received an email from a Pastor who said almost the same thing. He said that even Pastors need encouragement, as they grow weary of all the criticism. We sometimes forget that Pastors are human just like us. They get tired and need a rest. They also need encouragement. It is not enough to just shake the Pastor’s hand after church, and then forget about him for the rest of the week. We need to pray for our Pastor and remind him that Jesus Loves him.
Jesus endured the Cross for the Joy set before Him. Like Jesus, we need to endure the criticism and discouragement for the joy of knowing that we are making Jesus happy.
Keep pressing on in your daily lives; keep serving Jesus and make Him happy. It does not matter if people turn against you. What matters is making Jesus happy.
Joanne Lowe
November 19, 2005
joannelowe8@cox.net