Thursday,
February 16, 2023
THE UNSEEN SCARS
Gal 6:17
17 From
henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Charles Haddon
Spurgeon once said: “contentment is not a natural propensity of man. "Ill weeds grow
apace." Covetousness, discontent, and murmuring are as natural to man as
thorns are to the soil.” I can attest to the fact that even ministers are not
immune from occasional despondency.
The word
“downhearted” is not found in the Bible, but it is there if you look for it. Merriam
Webster asserts that the first known use of the pressed-together word was in
1742.
In Paul’s last
request to the Galatian church, he asks simply to be left alone and
untroubled. He bore the marks of his Lord. The word is the Greek stigmata meaning a scar where a wound used to be. It is
a reminder of the pain and, when pondered, the pain is often felt again. Most
of the scars of service are unseen but no less real.
Modern scars of service may not be from
the whip, stone, or gouge of the sharpened stick. In fact, the minister’s life
seems an easy one. I always hated the insensitive joke about only working “one
day a week.” No, modern scars come when there are little results from great
effort. It is a delicate art to produce loyalty and faithfulness without
restricting soul-liberty.
The honest minster cannot afford to
have his answering machine say: “Thank you for your call but today is not a
good day to listen to your pouty complaints. Tomorrow doesn’t look good either.
Please call back next week.” How often does he think like Paul “just leave me
alone?”
1 Tim 5:17
17 Let the elders
that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour
in the word and doctrine.
Dear Lord, bless my pastor today. Encourage his heart and salve the
scars of service. Give him great wisdom. Protect his health and guard his
family. Make your Word rich as he studies. Cause your joy to be his strength. Give
him places of rest and refuge. Refill his cup daily. AMEN
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