Forward
You ever just have one of those days? I have them on a regular basis. Unless you've Pastored a church (and yes I know that pastored isn't a word) you can't really fully truly understand the issues and trials that come with the position. It's unique. Compliments and Compensation are rare. Critiques are common though. The hours are... well endless. There is never a place where you've arrived. It's just a change of scenery. Each level of church growth has it's share of struggles and problems. I often wonder why we do what we do. It's like trying to put milk back in a glass in many instances.
Yet, for every failure there is the possibility of Hope... the chance for Change. For every one lost there is the potential for Discovery... to reach the hurting... the forgotten... the marginalized. The mere possibility of bringing a little Joy, a little glimmer of light, of truth into someone's life who has know only despair and darkness is overwhelming. The satisfaction of opening the door for someone to find their way back to God... back to His front porch is addictive.
I understand what the disciples meant when questioned as to if they would desert Jesus. "Where would we go?" they responded. In deed, where would we go? For in a calling that knows its share of disappointments... it's sting of betrayal... it's loneliness... there is also no greater Satisfaction, no greater commitment, no greater fulfillment than Following in His Footsteps.
Forward in "Hope"
I have lots of "those days," but I certainly do not have as many as I used to (B.C.).
One word I cannot get away from is "Hope." Not the hope as the world defines it (e.g. "hope you're doing well" or "hope to see you soon"), but Hope as the Word defines it.
One of my favorite verses that hits right along with your message tonight (it kept resonating in my mind as you were preaching) is Isaiah 40:2 (NKJ): "Comfort, yes, comfort My people!" Says your God. "Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins." And then Zech. 9:9 "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey." Zech 9:12 "Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope. Even today I declare that I will restore double to you." That whole chapter is full of hope, but for you, especially, chapter 10...
Hebrews 13:14 hit me really hard one day: "For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified (set apart)." I came unglued when I read that!
I have come to the conclusion that those who actually realize they have been "perfected" and "set apart," through the love of God and by the blood of Jesus, I firmly believe, will always have a straight and lit path in front of them. Though they may stumble a little, get weary from time to time (even Jesus grew "weary" and needed time to rest), and even straggle behind, they will always get back on course. We also have to realize that the Lord sets our "priorities," and it is never safe to assume we know what motivates, or doesn't, someone else. Oh, how often I've made that mistake.
You may not have "arrived," (none of us have) but you are "set apart" and are certainly on your way. But you do not need me to tell you that!