I Needed To Read This Today

Sam Storms:

Most people think praise from others and appreciation of our efforts is the basis for joy. But Paul was attacked, and lacked articulate words; he was weak in body and wasn't a good-looking man. If Time Magazine had a 100 Sexiest Men of 1st Century Palestine, Paul would not be in there. "Well maybe money and success, that's the key!" No! Paul was poor and needed help to live. He endured sleepless nights and a thorn in the flesh and was cast into prison. They called him a hypocrite. Yet Paul was energized by a joy in Jesus. That's why he said in 2 Corinthians 10, "We are sorrowful yet always rejoicing."

Maybe you're thinking that this kind of pursuit leaves you selfish, indifferent to neighbors, neglecting friends and family, etc. That's not what Paul is talking about. This is a deep, durable delight in the splendor of Jesus Christ that stokes the white-hot flames for the nations, that helps a man and woman to persevere in their marriage, that empowers the soul to overcome addictive behaviors, that enables a weak soul to persevere in the loss of a job or the death of a child. It encourages a timid heart to engage a lost world with the light of the gospel. It encourages a church to be sustained through hard financial times as they lose much of their material possessions.

Why did God make us? To glorify himself by making us immeasurably happy in himself. Why are you in pastoral ministry? To lead your people into the enjoyment of God for the glory of God.