Readings for today: Isaiah 46-49, Psalms 135
I maintain a demanding pace in my life. I serve as the senior pastor of a wonderful, growing church that is literally changing the world. I chair the board of a mission organization that I deeply love that is planting thousands of churches in unreached villages all over the Horn of Africa. I teach evangelism and mission at a local seminary to brilliant students. I volunteer to serve my denomination in various capacities. I am the primary liaison between my church and several local immigrant fellowships in our local area. I love all of it. I feel called to all of it. I am humbled and blessed by my involvement in each of these areas. But it does take a lot of time and energy and by the time I get to vacation each summer, I am usually running on fumes.
This summer was no different. By the time I got to July, I was dragging pretty hard. Perhaps it’s because I’ve recently taken on some new responsibilities with one of the immigrant fellowships I serve or perhaps it’s due to a denominational commitment I took on a couple of years ago which tackles a delicate subject. Maybe it’s just that I’m getting older? Whatever it may be, I was feeling more drained than normal. And when I feel drained, I am more susceptible to cynicism. I am more easily discouraged and frustrated. Perhaps that’s why the words of Isaiah 49:3-4 hit different this morning. “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” As I said, I do believe God has called me to everything I’m doing so I don’t regret taking any of it on. I do believe God has called me to serve and to sacrifice and to pour myself out for others. But the work is often long and it’s hard sometimes to see the fruit so I can fall into the trap Isaiah did. “But I myself said: I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and futility…”
Thankfully, God is faithful. He gave me the opportunity to taste some of the fruit of my labors over the years. He gave me a chance to experience a bit of the reward of all my hard work in prayer and evangelism and discipleship. First, on our family vacation. We were able to get away with the whole crew and spend intentional time sharing together and building deep connections with our adult children. It’s truly a blessing to have great friendships with each of my adult children. Second, my wife and I got a lot of time together as well. Kristi and I have done the hard work to build a great marriage and it’s a blessing to see that work pay off. Finally, when we got back from vacation, we were invited to lunch with a family I met years ago. Officiated their wedding. Officiated a funeral for their infant daughter. When I first met them, they were nominal Christians at best. They had both grown up Roman Catholic but barely engaged their faith. I hadn’t heard or spoken to them in years. But they invited us over for lunch to share with us all God had been doing in their lives. They are on fire for Christ. Deeply involved in their church. They recently gave their testimonies and got baptized. And they wanted to share with us how much we had impacted them over the years. It was one of the most humbling experiences of my life and it again reminded me, “my vindication is with the Lord, and my reward is with my God.”
The Christian life is a long obedience in the same direction. We may plant. Others may water. But it is God alone who gives the increase and we may not always get a chance to see that increase in our lifetimes. Sometimes it may feel like our work is in vain and we are spending our strength for nothing and in futility. Don’t you believe it! God is at work even when we can’t see Him. He is moving even when we can’t feel Him. He is bringing about His will and His way according to His perfect timing. Trust in the Lord and He will vindicate you. Trust in the Lord and He will reward you. This is is His promise and it is sure!
Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 50-53