The Privileged Calling
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. (1 Timothy 1:12)
I have formed a good habit over the years, that when I experience frustrating situations, I read and re-read 1 and 2 Timothy.
Like everyone else I am tempted when dealing with frustrating people to respond in a less-than-gracious spirit. James said, “So then my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19–20). So anger does not make things get better, only worse.
But how should we consider frustrating and difficult circumstances in life and ministry? Some times we can see the hand of Satan directly involved, but not always. Often it is a misunderstanding and a bit of immaturity, mixed in with a stressful situation or two, and — Boom! — the perfect storm.
Paul wrote these two letters to a younger Timothy whom he had mentored. They are both filled with advice as well as doctrine, warnings, and encouragements. But I was struck today as I began reading, how the Holy Spirit gave to Paul the exactly right place to start. He started with humbly thanking and praising God for the privilege of having been entrusted with the responsibility of Christian ministry.
What a powerful place to start!
Our tendency is to start with accusations, excuses, expressions of frustrations, personal defenses against accusations, etc. But Paul starts right where we need to start — the privilege of the call.
How amazing is it that any of us is called into Christian ministry! We are all flawed vessels, and even though Paul had some right to claim the title when he called himself the “chief of sinners” — after all he had persecuted the church — at the same time we all feel woefully inadequate. I suppose everyone of us who serves the Lord in any capacity feels like a fox that God sent to watch the hen house.
“Does He know me?” we ask. “Does God know my heart, my past, my weaknesses?”
Of course, the answer is, “Yes. In fact He does — did, does, and always will.”
And that is the privilege — to be a name-bearer and a message-proclaimer — we bear His name and we carry His message. The word “awesome” is over used in today’s world, but it definitely fits here — the entire idea is filled with awe.
Jeremiah complained to God for the hardships of his ministry — and he had much more to complain about than most of us do — imprisoned, rejected, eventually martyred. But at the end of the matter he said that God’s Word was like a fire in his bones and he could not help but speak it.
There is a privilege for having that fire. There is a privilege for knowing the message of God so intimately and deeply that it burns in our hearts.
But this is true on some level for every Christian. Service is a privilege because we bear His name — “Christian!”
So let us stop complaining about what we go through and the challenges we face until we have stopped for a moment a marveled in the privilege of the calling. It is a call to know His grace, to receive His forgiveness, and to know His truth. When we leave this off, when we forget about this aspect of life and service, then we get bitter and angry. But if we can begin here and stay here, rooted in His amazing grace, this incredible privilege, grateful and praising Him, then the rest seems easy.
