SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #126 ---- 6/11/00
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>
As We fight The Good Fight
(A letter of Encouragement to People in
Vocational and Lay Ministry)
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #126 ---- 6/11/00
Title: "Delight, Duty, Obligation"
My Dear Partner in Kingdom Work:
As I sit here today, it is Saturday afternoon in Karlovac, Croatia, our team
is preparing for a big youth street event this evening and five services
Sunday, and I'm finding myself wondering what in the world to write about.
For the very first time in over two and one half years, I feel at a loss. Of
course I could easily "come up with something", as most preachers can, but
that's not what I want.
The one thought that crosses my mind, however, is to "be not weary in well
doing". In facing the naked truth of writing to you, God has captured my
attention about the difference between "delight", "duty", and "drudgery".
It is clear that there is a difference between the first one and the second
two. I also see a difference between the second and the third.
A DELIGHT: Serving Christ should always be a delight, but, to be quite
honest, sometimes it just isn't. Sometimes it is inconvenient, distracting,
and outright boring. We may find it hard to admit such a "blasphemous" thing,
but it is still the truth. There are times when our responsibilities and
opportunities are totally undesirable.
Take right now, for example, for me. It's a very hot June afternoon, I've
been awake since 4:30 this morning, I slept on an extremely hard bed last
night, we've been at it all morning with the youth retreat, have had several
hours of rehearsal and preparation for the street ministry tonight, and
everyone on the team is taking a nap ---- everyone except me! I'm writing to
you.
And ---- I'm writing on a European keyboard! Even worse, it's a Croatian
version of a European keyboard! The same thing happened last year, and I had
the ingenuity to use that as the inspiration for my letter. Today, it is
nothing but a great big pain.
What makes serving the Lord a Delight instead of a great big burdensome
inconvenience at times?
The answer is simple ---- the Lord makes serving Him a Delight. The Bible is
filled with phrases such as "delight thyself in the Lord" and "I delight in
the Lord". Seldom, however, do you find any reference to delighting in
anything else, including delighting in serving Him.
Our delight is not in serving ---- it is in Him. Mary knew that truth
somehow. Martha apparently didn't. She thought serving Him was where it was
at, Mary knew that "where it was at" was wherever He was ---- because wherever
He is, there is delight.
So, if you want delight in serving the Master, you will find it in Him, and
not in what you do or in how people respond.
We have found that truth to be ever true on this trip. We have done some
pretty inconvenient things under uncomfortable circumstances. However,
because we had our focus on the Lord Jesus, what we did was delight-full.
So many men and women in ministry have lost sight of the One Who is the Reason
for their ministry in the first place. As a result, they delight in neither
their Lord or in their service.
What a tragic shame.
DRUDGERY:
Just when does drudgery take over your attention in serving One Who never
creates such a thing?
Well, in looking back over the past nearly three weeks as our team of 22 has
labored under adverse conditions, I think a few things are identifiable.
1.Physical and/or emotional weariness. In spite of the fact that Jo Ann and I
have repeatedly badgered our team members about getting plenty of sleep,
drinking lots of water, and eating properly, few of the students have
seriously heeded our admonition. We are, of course, "older", and they are
young and full of energy still able to withstand the toils of life.
For that reason among others, our team has had a great struggle in getting
spiritually prepared for this week-end of ministry in a totally different
setting.
So it is in your ministry. If you become physically or emotionally weary, for
whatever reason, you will see your ministry turn into drudgery, in that the
joy and sense of fulfillment are gone, and you wish you were somewhere else
doing something else.
2.Inadequate preparedness. The first part of our trip has been well prepared
by our hosts. The last few days, however, have been a different story. Thus,
this part of the trip has been filled with delays, and some measure of
frustration. Whereas earlier every detail was covered, this last portion,
even though it has been a wonderful and very special experience, many details
such as our transporation provision have been left unattended.
As a result, our trip here was hectic and frustrating and our ability to get
around while serving has been inconvenient and sometimes even physically
painful. As a result, our team, though still in great spirits, is weary and
even a bit impatient with each other.
Inadequate preparedness can do the same thing in every ministry setting. For
example, right now we are only minutes away from a time of prayer and a final
run through of our street ministry program, and I'd rather be sleeping or
finishing this note to you.
Do you spend adequate time preparing for your ministry responsibilities, or do
you "fly by the seat of your pants" through procrastination or having to spend
all your energies on unproductive activities? If you are too busy to prepare
adequately, you are busier than the Lord intended you to be.
3.Repetition. Because our kids have been serving in several locations during
this trip, it has been convenient to be able to sing the same songs, give the
same testimonies, or preach the same sermons. At the same time, they gave out
reading glasses, food, clothing, hygiene supplies, and crayons day after day.
Doing such things can be both a joy and also something that becomes a
drudgery.
There are some things in ministry that can get that way, as well. However,
just because something has to be repeated over and over doesn't mean it
becomes unimportant. It retains its importance, even though oft repeated. We
sometimes forget that.
4.Lack of appreciation for your efforts. It was easy to spot the refugees who
really appreciated our efforts, and those who didn't. It was easy to
recognize the one or two believers who resented our presence.
No matter what the reason, if you don't feel appreciated in your ministry, you
can easily develop a sense of drudgery in it. Everyone likes to feel he or
she is doing something that is appreciated by others. It's important to
remember that even though others don't, . . . .
Jesus does.
5.Wrong motivation for what you are doing. Just moments ago our team and the
youth of this church began singing "Worthy Is The Lamb", followed by "You are
My All in All". Isn't that interesting! That speaks to the motivation that
drives us in what we do in ministry.
Now they are singing "We Want To See Jesus Lifted High In This Land".
There is no doubt that if your motivation is otherwise, somewhere along the
way your ministry will become one of drudgery.
Take a good look at every aspect of your ministry and that of your church. It
should, from beginning to end, be motivated by giving glory and honor to God
and seeing His Son manifested throughout your land.
If you're doing it to impress your peers or "make the list" in your
denomination, then you've missed the entire point, my friend. Keep on that
road long enough, and you'll end up in the junk heap of drudgery.
DUTY:
This is an interesting word that has both negative and positive connotations
to it. I believe there is a reason for that. You see, Duty can be either
drudgery or delight. And, it can lead from one to the other.
In that sense it is almost like a draw bridge. It can keep things in, or it
can let things out. It can keep things in by protecting delight from
drudgery, but also keep drudgery from becoming a delight. On the other hand,
it can allow drudgery to invade delight and destroy it, or it can release
delight into drudgery, creating a new sense of joy in service.
Therefore, in a way, duty is the thing that keeps us stable and on target.
Whereas both delight and drudgery are often subject to the whims of our
emotions, duty is driven by a sense of responsibility and commitment. There
is more to it than just theological double talk or emotional whimsical mumbo
jumbo.
Duty recognizes the task to be done, no matter the adversity or feeling of the
moment, and sticks with it until the race is won or the task is done.
IN CONCLUSION:
While I prefer to write stories and experiences on these trips, this is what
God has put in my heart for you today. I pray it has been a blessing to you.
No matter how long and challenging your journey of ministry, remember that
delight is your desire, drudgery is constantly stalking you, but duty and
perseverance will keep you true and effective. No duty is too daily to be
neglected in the work of the kingdom ---- even if it means having to eat at an
ungodly hour or walk miles to your appointed destination. Join in with our
team now as they sing "Shout to the Lord!" Listen ---- "I sing for joy at the
works of Your hands. Forever I'll love You; forever I'll stand!"
Have a great week. And, please pray for us as we begin our journey home. We
traveled from Karlovac to Zagreb late last night, and will travel by train to
Salzburg and then to Munich. After a day of relaxation and sight seeing
Tuesday in Munich, we will leave Wednesday via Amsterdam and Chicago for
home. We will arrive sometime Thursday.
One final thing. I have been told that some of my earlier letters didn't come
through well for some of you. If that is the case, please drop me a note and
let me know the date of the one you missed. The internet service in the
Balkans is highly unpredictable, but I want you to be blessed by the previous
two letters in their entirety.
Please write me a personal note at my personal address, and I will send it
again.
In His Bond,
Bob Tolliver
We would love to hear from you ---- prayer requests, insights, etc. Feel
free to drop us a note at <lifeunlimited@juno.com>.
If this letter has blessed you and you know of someone else who needs to
be encouraged, feel free to forward it in its entirety to all such people
you know.
If you would like a list of past issues which you could receive upon
request, just let us know. Write <lifeunlimited@juno.com>.