During the years of our mission service, it happened several times that a young man would come up to my husband the pastor and say, “I’d like to be a pastor, too. Can I train with you?”
My husband always replied, “Sure! Grab a toilet brush and we’ll get started on the restrooms.”
I’m afraid it shocked the young men. But my husband’s point was crystal clear: public ministry isn’t about glory and respect and having people greet you in the streets. It’s messy, often uncomfortable;—and absolutely necessary.
There are plenty of nights when we long for more people to serve God in our particular field;—nights when we’re in the hospital with someone dying, or dealing with a family exploding into crisis. There are days like that, too;—days filled with paperwork and phone calls and the occasional trip down the sewer system (long story). There is always too much to be done;—too many people to care for, too few hours in the day.
Moses was in this situation, too. And so God had mercy on him and put the Holy Spirit on seventy elders of Israel;—seventy more people who could deal with problems and solve crises among the former slaves. And to make it clear who those people were, he gave them the temporary gift of prophecy.
But Joshua was unhappy. He was Moses’ aide, and all he could see was that his beloved mentor was going to have to share his glorious work with all these extra people. “My lord Moses, stop them!” he said.
I think Moses must have laughed. “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put His Spirit on them!”
Every pastor and leader I know prays the same prayer: “Please, God, raise up more people to do the work!” Jesus Himself said we should pray for this: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37b-38). And as you pray, consider this: the Lord has put His Spirit on you, too, when you were baptized. You are not just the one praying, but God’s answer to that prayer. Ask the Lord where and how He wants you to serve. It may be some way you never would have thought of;—but it will be a joy.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, open my eyes and my heart to see how You want me to serve. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. How do you serve the Lord right now?
2. What is the most glorious part of that service;—at least in the eyes of others?
3. What is the most humbling, messy, or downright funny part of your work?