Was talking with some folks the other day about ministry...and sharing the Gospel with others. It might seem like glorious and easy work...but that's deceiving. There are so many frustrations that come with that ...and sometimes very little rewards. Almost two years ago, I remember holding an event and there were many people at that event, but than nothing seemed to come of it. It appeared to me that I had spent my time just creating a fun event...but almost two years later, one person who was at that event...just one person... actually came to check out the church. It took almost two years for me to see any impact from that night.
I'm sitting here now thinking how easy it can be to give up and give in when you don't see the fruit of your labor and how it's so much harder to press on and press in even knowing that God is the one who brings the increase. Reaching out and pouring into people and yet seeming to have little to no impact or results is a hard thing to keep doing. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 3:6-8, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.…" We may not see the impact here. We may not see the fruit of our labor here. ...but we will one day see it if we continue in the work He's called us to. It reminds me of the Ray Boltz song, "Thank you." There is a part that really speaks to me. It says, "One by one they came, far as the eye could see. Each one somehow touched by your generosity. Little things that you had done, sacrifices made. Unnoticed on the Earth, in Heaven now proclaimed."
We are called to do His work. That's our purpose...to love Him, love others, and share Him with everyone we meet. This one plants, this one waters...and then God grows those whose lives we've poured into. When we all work together in unity side by side encouraging one another, supporting one another, and holding each other up, much is accomplished even if we can't see it. Growth in lives can take years...and we have to remember that Rome wasn't built in a day. It was built brick by brick layer by layer. My friends...Press in...and press on. One day you will see the harvest!
I'm sitting here now thinking how easy it can be to give up and give in when you don't see the fruit of your labor and how it's so much harder to press on and press in even knowing that God is the one who brings the increase. Reaching out and pouring into people and yet seeming to have little to no impact or results is a hard thing to keep doing. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 3:6-8, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.…" We may not see the impact here. We may not see the fruit of our labor here. ...but we will one day see it if we continue in the work He's called us to. It reminds me of the Ray Boltz song, "Thank you." There is a part that really speaks to me. It says, "One by one they came, far as the eye could see. Each one somehow touched by your generosity. Little things that you had done, sacrifices made. Unnoticed on the Earth, in Heaven now proclaimed."
We are called to do His work. That's our purpose...to love Him, love others, and share Him with everyone we meet. This one plants, this one waters...and then God grows those whose lives we've poured into. When we all work together in unity side by side encouraging one another, supporting one another, and holding each other up, much is accomplished even if we can't see it. Growth in lives can take years...and we have to remember that Rome wasn't built in a day. It was built brick by brick layer by layer. My friends...Press in...and press on. One day you will see the harvest!