The Work Still Continues
Life in ministry is not an easy feat no matter how others may try to portray it as otherwise. In the bible, Jesus tells us that we will be hated for his name sake.
22 And you will be hated for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in the city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. (Matthew 10:22-23 NKJV)
Jesus tells his disciples that since they are followers of Him, they will be hated by the world. They will face persecution and will have to go through many trials, because they belong to Him.
Those of us who have stepped into the calling that the Lord has placed on our lives know that we will face persecution. We will also have to deal with many obstacles that are a part of life, but when we do go through those trials (depression, loss of loved ones, sickness, loss of job, and etc), the Lord’s work still must get done.
Let’s take a look at the prophet Ezekiel:
15 Also the word of the Lord came to me, saying 16 “Son of man, behold, I take away from you the desire of your eyes with one stroke; yet you shall neither mourn nor weep; nor shall your tears run down. 17 Sigh in silence, make no mourning for the dead; bind your turban on your head, and put your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips, and do not eat man’s bread of sorrow.” 18 So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died; and the next morning I did as I was commanded. (Ezekiel 24: 15-18).
One of the most traumatic things that happened to Ezekiel was the loss of his wife, who was considered the desire of his eyes. Ezekiel was not allowed to mourn for his wife because he had to speak to the Lord’s people. Ezekiel not being permitted to grieve for his wife, was not a punishment from the Lord. Instead, it symbolized how the Iraelites will lose their loved ones and will not be able to mourn them. The main takeaway from this scripture is Ezekiel’s obedience to the Lord even when he was in pain. Ezekiel could have easily decided to shut down and mourn for his wife, but he decided to continue his work for the Lord because it needed to be done.
Apostle Paul talks about the trials apostles go through while in the life of ministry.
10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 22 And we labor, working, with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now. (1 Corinthians 4:10-13 NKJV).
Paul has been imprisoned, beaten, has been homeless, hungry, mocked, and etc. Yet, Paul still did what was required of him as an apostle. Paul still ministered to people across the Roman empire. He did not allow his circumstances to abstain him from spreading the gospel.
Life will not be easy, and it often has its fair share of heartache. It is important to know that the Lord knows what we are going through. In our times of trouble, we should draw near the Lord and ask him to strengthen us. When I face hardships, I like to take a page out of Habakkuk’s book.
17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls–
18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
19 The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer’s feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills. (Habakkuk 3:17-19 NKJV)
Even though our life may seem to be in chaos, we have to remember that the Lord is still in control. The work still continues, because there are souls that are in need of saving. The work still continues, because the adversary does not take any breaks.
Join me in prayer:
Heavenly Father, you said whatever we bound on earth will be bound in heaven. I bind the spirit of heaviness and chaos. I loose the spirit of joy and peace into my life. Lord, I ask that you strengthen me so that I may continue to do your will. Lord, I know that you are near, because you said that you are near the broken hearted. And like your prophet Habakkuk said, even though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on vines; though the labor of olives may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls–yet I will rejoice in the Lord.
In Jesus name,
Amen.