July 16, 2010
Struggling with Thankfulness in Ministry
The benefits of focusing on what you've got, not what you lack.
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It’s true confession time. I struggle to be thankful.
I’ve been reading a lot in the Old Testament recently (for a class; I’m not so holy.). One of the themes that has jumped out at me again and again throughout the Pentateuch and Historical Books is how often the Israelites respond poorly to God’s grace and generosity. Before the class I would have summarized Israel’s attitude as “rebellious” or “stiff-necked” or “ornery.” Now I think I would say their primary sin was thanklessness. I think that’s probably my primary sin, too.
God’s first major act of redemption for Israel as a nation was the miraculous Exodus from Egypt. Under God’s leadership, the entire community—which had been enslaved for 400 years or so—is snatched out of the oppressor’s hand with no loss of life. The Bible tells us not even a dog barked at the people as they left (Exodus 11:7). If that’s not enough, God parts the Red Sea, the Israelites cross through on dry ground, and the most powerful army on the planet at the time is swept away in the current. Three days later, the Israelites start grumbling against Moses because they are thirsty. Again God provides miraculously—a stick turns bitter water sweet. Shortly thereafter the people give up completely. Hungry and tired, they say, “If only we had died by the LORD's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death” (16:3).
Ingrates.
I suspect the narrative is designed to make the Israelites look ridiculous. And it would be funny, if only I were not so much like them.
Again and again in my life I’ve experienced the Lord’s grace and deliverance one moment and then immediately despaired that he’d abandoned me the next. Get the good job, make it into the right school, find a way to make ends meet in tough times. And then, at the first sign of difficulty, my stomach goes in knots, I lose sleep, I worry. I think the problem is that I’m not truly thankful when God provides. I may be happy that I got the job I wanted, pleased that I made it into the right program, or relieved that we’ve paid all our bills on time again. But I don’t think I’m thankful for those things, because deep down I believe I pulled them off on my own. There’s no sense being thankful for something you do yourself.
This has some pretty remarkable implications for ministry, too, I think. How often do we come away from a successful program or event with a sort of high because we sensed God working in power among us, only to find out that a volunteer has dropped out of another ministry, our benefits have been slashed, or some personal tragedy is unfolding at home? One moment we feel like God is smiling on us; in the next it seems he’s turned his face. It seems to happen to us all the time:
We have a record number of children registered for VBS. Praise the Lord!
Three of our key VBS volunteers drop out at the last second. How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
I regularly hear pastors say—I’ve said it myself—“If only we had a full-time youth person (or a younger worship leader, or a larger operating fund, or whatever) we could finally be effective in ministry.” A wise pastor told me recently that she and her co-pastor are convinced that God has brought every member of their church in the doors for a reason. Thinking that way reminds them to be thankful: sure, God sends the talented people, but he also sends the ornery ones. And sometimes he doesn’t send them what they think they need. Connie has been praying for 30 years for God to send them a youth pastor. She’s beginning to think that if God hasn’t provided it, they must not need it. That sounds like someone who has learned to be thankful for God’s provision.
Thankless pastors operate their whole ministry from a sense of what they lack. To be thankful we must be convinced that what we have is a gift and that it is enough.
Posted by UrL Scaramanga on July 16, 2010
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Comments
BAM! (to quote Emeril) Direct hit!
I cannot tell you how many times I've had the same thoughts about Israel and experienced the same thanklessness in my life. Without doubt "everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
Clearly one of the conditions of a joyful life that is prayerfully productive and virtually stress-free is thankfulness. Paul writes "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
I will say it again: "in everything...WITH THANKSGIVING..." Am I shouting yet?
Thanks so much for this most important reminder!
Posted by: Paul Adams at July 16, 2010
Thank you for a great post. I think you have hit upon the challenge of a lifetime.
Posted by: Melody at July 16, 2010
Great message - exactly what the Lord is speaking to me about. Reminds me of a quote from the movie Shadowlands...CS Lewis says "No, I don't want to be someplace else. I'm not looking for something new to happen. I'm not looking over the next hill or around the next corner. I'm here now, and that's enough."
Posted by: Judi Larsen at July 16, 2010
It is so easy to lose sight of our God in ministry, a reflection on Philippians 4 below
Philippians 4 vs. 4-7 - Rejoice in The Lord Always
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Come before your Lord and worship him in one accord, with one voice
Let your lives reveal the character of God, on his word stand
Let your lives reflect Christ, his love, abide in him it’s the only choice
Come before your Lord with singing, form a heavenly band
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
With thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God
Look to God not just a little, but in all things, have a strong application
Learn to pray to him through his word, knowing what is right and good
God calls you to be earnest, thankful; he will give you a heavenly indication
Trust in your God, he is faithful in all things, your prayers will be heard
And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding
Will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus
His promise to us, my peace I give you, don’t of it be uncomprehending
He is the Good Shepherd who restores the soul and frees us
He guides and leads us; trust in him, it is you he is befriending
Have faith in him the one who intercedes for us is Christ Jesus
Mark Maffey, January 2006©
(NKJV)
http://maffster.blogtown.co.nz/
Posted by: Mark Maffey at July 19, 2010
There's a negative correlation between gratitude and entitlement. When I feel entitled to something, I usually don't think I need to thank anyone for what I was already due. When I realize that I'm not entitled to anything, any small kindness I receive will make me thankful.
Posted by: DebD at July 20, 2010
Those for whom this post resonates, will likely find the post linked below of interest as well. Would it make a difference to us if we realized that not only is there an inverse relationship between gratitude and entitlement, but also an inverse relationship between entitlement (pride) and the quality of our experience of communion with God? ("God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.") Gratitude and humility are synonymous states of the heart. Thanks, Brandon, for this post.
http://fatherstephen.wordpress.com/2010/07/11/giving-thanks-as-a-way-of-life/
Posted by: Karen at July 23, 2010
This is a great post, Brandon! You hit the nail right on the head when you talk about our lack of thanks to God. You are right - so often we stress about making a cut, deadlines, etc. When we finally get to that point and accomplish the goal we were striving for we seem to praise ourselves. We become so self-centered, even in the small things in life, that we forget who really provided for us, who created us, and to whom we are to give thanks daily. Often we too become like the Israelites, wanting more and more, without giving thanks or even recognizing the work God is doing for us and through us. We need to remember to give thanks to God daily and in all circumstances.
A challenging post!
Posted by: Aubrey at September 21, 2010