By[3] “We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. [4] Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; [5] in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; [6] in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; [7] in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; [8] through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; [9] known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; [10] sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.” – 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 (NIV)
Ministry is one area of life that is very different from any career you can ever think of. Many people don’t regard the ministry as a very laborious workspace, so they discredit pastors’ works, thinking it’s all about sleeping six days a week, only to preach on Sundays. If you are a believer and you are thinking this way, please repent because it is not true. You see, God has made the work of the ministry very strange to outsiders, so until one gets into it, they’ll never understand what it entails. I believe God made it this way because He knows the ministry is sacred.
Read what Paul said in the anchor text of the devotional again. He stated emphatically that there were several kinds of suffering and discomfort he went through just to make sure his ministry didn’t get discredited. Talk about not having enough rest, facing troubles, hardships, distress, and beatings, just to mention a few. But today, we still celebrate the works of the man of God, forgetting that he laboured hard to bring us what we enjoy today. I have come to understand that for generations to be cleared of some struggles that used to be there, it’ll take at least one person to stand up and go the extra mile in labour. Do not get me wrong. I’m not promoting laziness here. I am saying that it takes a lot to deliver generations from some curses and struggles.
Can I tell you something, dear minister? Make sure your ministry doesn’t get discredited based on what you do in secret and public. Don’t practice evil things secretly, and think God isn’t watching you. Again, keep labouring effectively to ensure that God’s work prospers in your hands. Serving the Lord is not always easy, but it is worth it.
You’re a blessing.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for grace and mercy. Help me to live a pure life that pleases You all the days of my life, no matter where I find myself. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Devotional Code: KGD – 2025 – 144
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