Did Jesus ask us to succeed? I’ve often told people that the answer is no. We are called to be obedient; we are called to be faithful. We are called to do the work of the Church regardless of whether we feel accomplished.
When Jesus’ disciples entered into a new place, they were supposed to give it everything they had. Jesus make it plain that there would be times when people would not listen to them. He still sent them. When they felt lacking, they were to remember his instruction: Do not get discouraged but shake the dust off and move on. (You can read more about that story in Matthew 10.)
The problem is, in my humanness, I want to succeed! Doing the work of the church can be exhausting, and I want to know good things are happening because of my efforts. I can only imagine how difficult it would’ve been for one of the twelve to pour his heart and soul into taking God’s message from city to city only to be disbelieved, rejected, and even threatened. Talk about discouraging!
Often when I read the story in Matthew, I focus on the part where scorned disciples get to shake the dust off their feet and move on. I’m compelled to adhere to a direction straight from Jesus himself. “Shake the dust off.” That descriptive phrase in Jesus’ time was equivalent to me saying today: “I wash my hands of it.” It means I’ve done what I can do, and now I’m moving on to the next thing without feeling badly about it. We use that sentiment in our work, in our relationships, and certainly in ministry. Sometimes, when I felt I have done all I could do in a pastoral context, I have been comfortable moving to the next setting. Shaking the dust off and moving on has been my way of justifying the change in direction.
That’s why I feel appropriate telling people that we are not called to success. We are simply to be faithful and obedient. The results are not always ours to identify. So why do I often feel lacking? If I’m doing the work that Jesus has asked me to do, and I’ve been given clear permission to walk away without recognizing results, why is my heart heavy? Should I not be encouraged knowing that my faithful journey may be an instrument in the Holy Spirit’s work? After all, success is not the goal! I’m not expected to change people’s hearts – that’s not my job. So what am I missing?
This morning I read Matthew 10 again, and I was intentionally open to receiving a new message. I’d always thought I understood the lesson, but was there something more I should explore? Sure enough, my heart was drawn to a different part of the story. Rather than celebrating how Jesus gave me an out – a way to alter my course as needed – this time I was moved by the WAY the disciples were sent. I realized with striking impact that they were not sent alone. Sharing the gospel message is not meant to be a solitary assignment. No matter where the disciples attended to their tasks, they enjoyed the company of a friend.
I’ve often heard it said that pastoral work is one of the loneliest vocations, but thank God for new perspectives! Sharing the Love of Jesus Christ is not my sole responsibility. I must have been looking at this from the wrong angle. Every single day I am surrounded by caring, loving people who are passionate about living the Christian life. God has provided me with a huge company of friends, and we are on this journey together! Good-bye heavy heart! There’s work to be done!
May the rest of our Lenten season be filled with friends, faithfulness and obedience to God's call.
Lenten blessings,
Pastor Beth
When Jesus’ disciples entered into a new place, they were supposed to give it everything they had. Jesus make it plain that there would be times when people would not listen to them. He still sent them. When they felt lacking, they were to remember his instruction: Do not get discouraged but shake the dust off and move on. (You can read more about that story in Matthew 10.)
The problem is, in my humanness, I want to succeed! Doing the work of the church can be exhausting, and I want to know good things are happening because of my efforts. I can only imagine how difficult it would’ve been for one of the twelve to pour his heart and soul into taking God’s message from city to city only to be disbelieved, rejected, and even threatened. Talk about discouraging!
Often when I read the story in Matthew, I focus on the part where scorned disciples get to shake the dust off their feet and move on. I’m compelled to adhere to a direction straight from Jesus himself. “Shake the dust off.” That descriptive phrase in Jesus’ time was equivalent to me saying today: “I wash my hands of it.” It means I’ve done what I can do, and now I’m moving on to the next thing without feeling badly about it. We use that sentiment in our work, in our relationships, and certainly in ministry. Sometimes, when I felt I have done all I could do in a pastoral context, I have been comfortable moving to the next setting. Shaking the dust off and moving on has been my way of justifying the change in direction.
That’s why I feel appropriate telling people that we are not called to success. We are simply to be faithful and obedient. The results are not always ours to identify. So why do I often feel lacking? If I’m doing the work that Jesus has asked me to do, and I’ve been given clear permission to walk away without recognizing results, why is my heart heavy? Should I not be encouraged knowing that my faithful journey may be an instrument in the Holy Spirit’s work? After all, success is not the goal! I’m not expected to change people’s hearts – that’s not my job. So what am I missing?
This morning I read Matthew 10 again, and I was intentionally open to receiving a new message. I’d always thought I understood the lesson, but was there something more I should explore? Sure enough, my heart was drawn to a different part of the story. Rather than celebrating how Jesus gave me an out – a way to alter my course as needed – this time I was moved by the WAY the disciples were sent. I realized with striking impact that they were not sent alone. Sharing the gospel message is not meant to be a solitary assignment. No matter where the disciples attended to their tasks, they enjoyed the company of a friend.
I’ve often heard it said that pastoral work is one of the loneliest vocations, but thank God for new perspectives! Sharing the Love of Jesus Christ is not my sole responsibility. I must have been looking at this from the wrong angle. Every single day I am surrounded by caring, loving people who are passionate about living the Christian life. God has provided me with a huge company of friends, and we are on this journey together! Good-bye heavy heart! There’s work to be done!
May the rest of our Lenten season be filled with friends, faithfulness and obedience to God's call.
Lenten blessings,
Pastor Beth