By George Koopmans
The question, "What is one of the passages of the Bible that sustains you in ministry?" presupposes that pastors experience times of discouragement and disillusionment in ministry as well as times of simply wondering "is it all worthwhile?"
As I reflect upon these matters . . .
I think of times I have responded to tragedies in the congregation - and part of me says, "I don't want to do this!" and part of me replies, "If not you, then who?"
I think of the trips to the nursing home and I wonder if that shortage of workers has been taken care of or will it still smell bad in the home? I also think of the stories that I will hear, stories I have already heard many times before. I think of the ones in the home who are no longer able to communicate with me, and I wonder, do they really hear me? What are they thinking? Am I really ministering to them effectively?
Sometimes I ponder the fact that even though I am not a doctor I hear about medical conditions and what is going on with the body in minute detail.
Sometimes in too much detail!
There are times I think about taking my family away for the weekend like so many others do - perhaps camping, or to get a room by the beach - but I have this commitment which takes up all my weekends.
I sometimes think of the young man I overheard speaking to a friend at the mall. He was so excited about his new job in the oil patch. Why shouldn't he be? The job was paying him a six figure salary.
Sometimes I wonder - "What would life be like if I wasn't a pastor?"
And in times like this my mind is drawn to Daniel 12:1-3 and especially to verse 3: "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever."
Then I am reminded once again that God has given me the profound privilege of leading many to righteousness. Responsibility - sure. But mostly privilege. And he makes it so easy. They come on their own, by the dozens, even hundreds! Each Sunday they come and I have the opportunity to lead to righteousness. After all, our righteousness is found in Christ alone!
Our righteousness is not found in our good works or any thing else we do or are, our righteousness is found at the foot of the cross - and I get to lead the way to the cross each week. I get to do that on Monday too when our Catechism Class gathers - and each day of the week!
Of course I am not, the pastor is not, the only one who is called to lead others to righteousness - all God's people share in that noble calling - and yet God gives me so many opportunities to do this. He makes it so easy for me to do this as he brings all kinds of people into contact with me. And then he says - when you simply do what I make easy for you to do – I will bless you and you will shine like the stars forever and ever - and I am sustained in ministry.
George Koopmans is the pastor of Medicine Hat Christian Reformed Church in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada.
