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Is the struggle worth it? I've been the Interim-moderator -- the Minister responsible to help another congregation find a new Minister -- for 17 months now. I get a lot of sympathy. People think it's a big imposition! Sometimes, it is a big, additional workload, but not most of the time.Many things we do in the Church make us experience some pain. The last stages of finding the signatures to support the call to a new Minister and presenting one's results to the Presbytery's (Regional church's) executive committee for scrutiny can be as painful as these should be exhilerating. Sometimes, the call isn't sufficiently supported. That can be painful to both the candidate and to the congregation. -- enough talk about pain! When our Lord Jesus walked this earth, he encountered much rejection and suffering. As we discussed some of the challenges of being an interim-moderator among our church leaders, I was reminded that our Lord himself was not popular among his people -- which many would find hard to believe!! But, it's true! Whenever we feel discouraged or challenged or even rejected as we try to live out our faith in obedience to the calling we feel God has prepared for us, we should take some time to gain strength from God -- and spend time with God! Prayer can ease our heart's pain. Listening in silence to God can relax us and remove that burden from our shoulders that makes us think everything depends on us! God's Word is always a great help! Remember, Jesus had called following him: bearing our cross. The beatitudes of Matthew's Gospel, chapter five, comfort those who feel persecuted, rejected, etc. while working in God's 'fields'. The Epistles of Peter tell us that evil is real [and working overtime] where goodness is busy. The Apostle Paul reminds us in his Letter to the Roman church, that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God.NOTHING! So, is the struggle worth it? In this very busy time of our lives -- should we add to our busyness by doing things in and for the Church or for God? -- Should we do anything to help our neighbour ... ? For sure!! Jesus had said that it is a blessed thing when one gives their life up for another. That's exactly what Jesus did for us. We can certainly give a bit of ourselves for someone else. God loves a cheerful giver. Amen
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