Who's NOT Next

Moments before getting ready for bed last night, I reflected briefly on Thursday's post...about the pastor ready to resign and walk. It didn't take but a few seconds to think...

...If he is struggling, in the land of the free, the home of the brave, in a society founded on freedom...struggling to the point of not only leaving the pulpit, but walking on the calling to the ministry, then what missionary isn't far behind him?

Granted, America's climate is rapidly changing its perspective on church and Christianity, morality and the concept of an absolute truth. However, life around the globe hasn't been kind to Christians either. So what gives? Perhaps other countries are more hungry for spiritual nurturing? Or other government entities are having a change of heart as to the impact missionaries can have on their people? Either way...Christianity in America is becoming increasingly challenging and Christianity around the globe, still full of tons of obstacles.

Sadly, whether a pastor or a missionary, there will be a "next" to walk away, for any number of reasons. So the question is who in the ministry will REFUSE to let the struggle and exhaustion and frustration of ministry destroy their willingness to press in and move forward with God?

Pray for missionaries on this Friday...strength to press on towards the prize of the high calling placed on them by God. Pray that frustration weaken them not. Pray that exhaustion will not overtake their bodies. Pray that results or lack thereof will not dampen their spirits. Pray for a focus on the task; like Nehemiah, unable to come off the wall, for he was doing a great work. Pray any attack against them falters and fades in light of their intensity to the task at hand. Pray vision and clarity to the great work they have been called. Strengthened. Quickened. Empowered. Focused. Victorious by the blood of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit for the glory of God.

-PNC

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