SIXTHGEN.COM
  • Blog
  • About
    • Sixth Generation
    • Jeff Cloeter
    • If you're not a Christian . . .
    • Contact
  • Loved & Sent
    • Get The Book
    • Endorsements
    • The Stories
    • My Children's Book
  • The Daily Pattern
Picture
sixthgen
​

pastoral publishing in the 21st century

Every Ten Days I Want to Quit

2/4/2016

 
Picture
"How's work?" I'm asked.

"Every ten days I want to quit."  I've given this answer a few times in recent months.  Am I really going to turn in my keys?  Probably not . . . but maybe.

Anything of  significance is worth sacrificing for.  And anything worth sacrificing for will leave you with a "tenth day."  Nine days can be good, even great.  But about every tenth we are sobered by harsh reality.

As a pastor,  I hold the hands of widows at the graveside of their husbands.   I'm called when a problem has spiraled into a crisis.  I point people to "the one thing needful" when they're frantically over-committed and don't have time for it.  I love people who don't want to be loved.  I lead people who sometimes don't want to be led. 

So, yeah.  Every ten days I ask, "Can I do this?"
"Am I any good?"
"Am I making a difference?"
"Am I a failure?"  
​"Is this worth it?"
Picture
In 1880, Friedrich Zundel wrote a landmark biography on a German pastor named Johann Christoph Blumhardt.  In following Blumhardt through the ups and downs of life and ministry, Zundel distilled some key words of advice.  

I read these words when I hit my "tenth day," and I believe they are applicable for more than just pastors.  

When behind you, you see nothing but failures.  When before you, you see nothing but trouble . . . 

1.)  Do what is at hand to do.  Consider each single day to be your appointed task.  Leave to God the care of the future.

2.)  Don't desire to harvest.  You are only  a sower.

3.)  If you can be comfort and strength to even one single person, then even fifty years of no success have not been in vain.

4.)  It is no help to a struggling person for you to be annoyed with him or her.  What he or she needs is seeking love.

5.)  Even for Paul, the "thorn in the flesh" remained.  His grace is sufficient . . . 

6).  Christ can fight his battles even with broken swords.


7.)  It is not ability but faithfulness that counts (I Cor. 4:2).  "He dared to believe his way through the deepest gloom."  

I pray God gives you vision to see His work on your "tenth days."   His strength in your weakness.  His courage in your fear.  His victory in your failure.  
​​

Marilyn Peters
2/4/2016 05:02:59 pm

Kathy Tinker
2/5/2016 07:39:04 am

I guess today was my 10th day! I was a bit discouraged today ! But suddenly I am reminded that day one starts tomorrow! And thanks to your message I am strong again! I find it interesting that God has a way of answering prayer by having things pop up when you need them most ! So thankful and hope your day is great !


Comments are closed.

    JOIN My Tribe
    Subscribe and receive exclusive updates and free resources.



    Categories

    All
    Bible
    Church
    Culture
    Current Events
    Devotional
    Education
    Family
    Images
    Leadership
    Marriage
    Men
    Mission
    Money
    Poetry
    Prayer
    Preaching
    Quotebaord
    Quoteboard
    Random Things Tour
    Sabbath
    Service
    Stories
    World

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos from weisserstier, adamnsinger, gunman47
  • Blog
  • About
    • Sixth Generation
    • Jeff Cloeter
    • If you're not a Christian . . .
    • Contact
  • Loved & Sent
    • Get The Book
    • Endorsements
    • The Stories
    • My Children's Book
  • The Daily Pattern