Fruits of Faithfulness: …persevering in ministry with unseen results…

Life has a way of slowing things down when we least expect it, doesn’t it?  An injury, a set-back, loss of a position or job. The current pandemic has done that for so many of us.  Some of the slackened pace has been a God-send.  But some of the slow-down has caused us to doubt ourselves – even the very calling of God on our lives. 

A children’s minister recently shared with me how hard it has been to press on in ministry during Covid when only 2 kids show up for Bible study.  I totally get it.  I wrote a blog post some weeks ago that, in my estimation, was the most relevant piece of work I’d penned in quite some time.  But for some strange reason, Focus on the Family didn’t pick it up and run with it.  (Go figure.)   In fact, it had just two “likes”, and I’m guessing half the views were me checking for comments…or errors.

On a deeper level, I’ve had some discussions with God lately about my current ministry – raising some kids from hard places that require all of me, all the time, with all my focus, but with little measurable improvement.  I’ve raised my head (and maybe my voice) to heaven and literally asked, “IS THIS IT?!  Is this all I get to do with my life and ministry?!” 

Why the disappointment?  Why are we not content to answer the call and leave the results to God?  We pray, we prepare, and then we’re disappointed when we see miniscule [immediate] fruit.  Maybe we’re wired to want to do only “BIG” things for God.  We have the faith of the mustard seed, but we forget that unless the seed falls to the ground and dies, it cannot yield a harvest.  Faith is my strong suit – it’s the dying to self that gets me.  Every. Time.  Dying to my plan, my dream, my vision of what my ministry should be.  It’s a daily process of giving the reigns back to the driver – relinquishing control, resting in his sovereignty.

I also think pride plays a part – thinking I’ve got a lot to bring to the table.  (As if what I’m offering God should “wow” him somehow).  Any contribution I have for His kingdom was given to me by him to start with.  I’m not LETTING Him “use me” – HE’S letting me be a part of what he is already doing, and can completely accomplish without me!

Jesus promises us that as we remain in him, drawing daily from the vine, we will bear MUCH fruit.  However, we must remember that kingdom results don’t mirror earthly ones. 

Often kingdom fruit takes a bit longer,

goes a bit more unnoticed,

and happens in the

secret rather than on the stage. 

But it far outlasts and outshines anything we could conjure up in our own imaginations (Ephesians 3:20).

As God charged the priests in Ezekiel’s day to let Him be “…the only inheritance [they] have… give them no possession in Israel; I will be their possession,” I want to serve Him with a heart so steadfast that EVEN IF I NEVER SEE THE PRIZE in this lifetime, I am completely satisfied with God alone as my inheritance! 

So my friend and I are believing God for great works in seemingly small contributions.  Two kids at a Bible Study.  Two “likes” on a post.  God can do a lot with “two’s”.  (Two fish and some bread ring a bell?)  He’s proven he’s faithful.  I will be too.

How are you trusting God with your current ministry during this pandemic?  Or how can I pray for you?  Leave a comment (above), and let’s trust him for the harvest.