Introduction
The people of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Hickman, Neb., have organized a Spirit-Driven Task Force, bringing together almost forty members who have committed to a year of study, prayer, reflection, and deliberation to discern how God is calling the congregation to renewal for the sake of his mission.
This is the twenty-third of a series of weekly meditations with the aim to inspire reflection and encourage conversation among the members of the task force as we journey together in obedience to our Lord’s calling to serve him. You can find an archive of these meditations on the Web at http://widesky.biz/blog/ephemera/spirit-driven-task-force-meditations.
Author
Kurt Kechely, a member of the Spirit Driven Task Force and its Steering Committee, shared this devotion from the ELCA’s periodical, “Christ in Our Home.”
Scripture
“I am with you to save you and deliver you.” —Jeremiah 15:20.
Meditation
No matter how devoted you are to serving Christ, you can’t please all the people all the time. Several negative comments can make you question your decision to lead a committee or continue in ministry. Yet when you feel at your lowest, someone may come up to you and tell you how much you have influenced his or her life. Words like these are a soothing lotion on dry and parched skin. They refresh one’s sense of purpose.
Those who work in the church—whether they are pastors, teachers, administrators, or workers on a mission project—will always know the sting of critics nipping at their heels. It’s part of working with people.
Jeremiah also felt the frustration of working with people who were negative. He wanted to please the Lord, but some days were harder than others. Yet, a word from the Lord encouraged him. He heard words that brought joy, delight, and affirmation that God had called him to this work.
God is faithful when the call to serve sends us to share the message of the gospel. We are delivered as we are encouraged by others through the Word.
Prayer
Faithful Lord, renew the call you have placed on my heart to serve you, and let me know its joy, through Christ. Amen.