You probably have heard the quip, “Ministry is messy.” How true it is. As we serve within the family of God, we have a front row seat to the sins, weaknesses, and heartaches of others. But often, it’s our own failings and limitations that come into sharper focus as we help carry our brothers’ and sisters’ burdens.
In ministry, sometimes we become discontent, impatient, or anxious. Sometimes we feel exhausted, lonely, or under-appreciated. When we make comments like “ministry is messy,” usually we only say things like that when we’re experiencing the negative effects of the messiness. At those times, what we’re really saying is that ministry is hard.
Earlier this week, I was on a Zoom call with a long-distance Christian friend. As I explained to her some of the “hard” things I’m experiencing in ministry, she held up a rubber band to the computer camera. My friend reminded me that the rubber band is only useful when it’s stretched. She then held up a second rubber band that was overly used. It was frayed, out of shape, and on the verge of breaking. The two rubber bands were my friend’s reminder to me that hard times in ministry are to be expected, but we must take care not to let them break us.
But how? How are we to persevere when ministry is hard? When ministry is so challenging that continuing becomes questionable, what often is needed is a change of perspective. It’s essential that instead of myopically looking at our own efforts, we begin taking in a sweeping view of God’s work in and through us.
Our perspective in ministry can be renewed by reading the writings of Paul, who knew the hardness of ministry like no other servant of Christ. In 2 Corinthians 4, where Paul reflected on his ministry labors, we find several principles that encourage us to forge ahead in our own service to others. Let’s consider three of them.
God Provides the Message
The merciful God who opened our hearts to the gospel of Christ is the One who now entrusts us with proclaiming that same good news (2 Cor. 4:1). It’s his transforming message, and not our own. He simply calls us to present it with uncompromising clarity, without “cunning or [tampering] with God’s word” (2 Cor. 4:2).
When “ministry is hard,” we may need to reassess two things about our handling of God’s gospel and Word. First, have we gone off course? Are we adding worldly techniques, philosophies, or truth claims that detour us from our original commitments to the authority and sufficiency of Scripture? Second, if we are faithful to the content of the gospel and word of Christ, have we strayed into thinking, “Yes, this is the untarnished gospel of Christ, but I need to make it effective in the lives of those I love.” Friend, we must remember not only that the gospel is God’s message, but also that it’s his prerogative to accomplish his purposes with it, in his perfect way and time.
Just as God “has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6), he also sovereignly shines into the hearts of those he’s placed in our spheres of ministry. As we proclaim his message, we can confidently rest in the power of his gospel.
God Provides the Power
You and I are common pots, formed under pressure and strengthened by fire. As vessels of service, we’re breakable and dispensable. Our only glory is that which fills us: the gospel and our new life in Christ (2 Cor. 4:7). And just as our Savior suffered, we’ll suffer as we serve in his name. Affliction, perplexities, and persecution are to be expected. But this too is to be expected: In Christ we’ll never be crushed, forsaken, or destroyed (2 Cor. 4:8-9).
As we persevere in the difficulties of ministry, we’ll see more clearly that the power to serve and speak biblical truth doesn’t come from us, but from Christ living within us. When we lay our lives down in ministry, we can be encouraged that just as the death of Christ produces life in us, God also uses our death to self to bring his life to others. As Paul explained to the Corinthian believers, “So death works in us, but life in you” (2 Cor. 4:12). Yes, it’s hard but so worth it!
God Provides the Glory
Everyone grows older and experiences the effects of aging. But believers who labor long and diligently in spiritual service often uniquely feel the stresses of ministry on their frames. Maybe you sense that your “outer self is wasting away” in your current season of ministry (2 Cor. 4:16). You also might feel weak inwardly. But through it all, God is spiritually renewing you to know, love, trust him. In your personal crucible of ministry, he’s refining the elements of your future glory.
However heavy your burdens are now, know that in heaven your eternal joy and blessings will be weightier (2 Cor. 4:17). However dark your sin and heartache are now, know that the light of your holiness and wholeness will forever shine. However persistent your inadequacies and weaknesses are now, know that the strength of the Lord will be your everlasting victory song. Fix your sight on the character and promises of God that you cannot see, as you trod through the difficulties that—for a short while longer—you see on every side (2 Cor. 4:18).
When ministry is hard, read and meditate on 2 Corinthians 4. In faith, look to God who provides your message, your power, and your glory. And then, press on.
