And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
(Luke 14:27-28 KJV)
I have been concerned of late, to the rising number of newly ordained clergy who do not seem to quite grasp what it means to follow Jesus. There are a few too many who seem to not have counted the cost of answering the call to follow Jesus.
There are those who think pastors are dearly loved by all. Think again! There will be some who love you. But, there will also be those who will not and they will come against you.
Even if you are called as a part-time pastor you are on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The congregation may pay you for part-time hours; but, Jesus calls you to feed his sheep and that doesn't mean once you have your hours in for the week you get to sleep or party or whatever it is that you like to do in your off hours. Certainly there will be time to socialize as you share the Good News in word and deed with both your family and friends (the Church). But, when the sheep need you, as a disciple of Jesus, you will be there for them no matter what time of the day or night it happens to be. So, if you have a family make sure that they are prepared for you to pick up and go whenever and wherever you are called. If they cannot be then maybe the call that you think you have isn't as legitimate as you might think.
My eldest granddaughter spent much of her growing up years with me. When a call came in the middle of the night, she would wake up and begin getting dressed while I was still on the phone. As soon as I got off the phone, she would typically ask, "Who died?" I would then drop her off with her grandfather who worked nights at our adult foster care or with her dad on my way to whatever crisis I was on my way to. She never complained. She was just as concerned about those who were in crisis as I was.
There is a cost to being in ministry. The cost is to leave behind our cares and go and care for others, sharing with them the love of God, whether it is in word or deed.
The call of the ordained minister is not to go out and make everyone happy. It is not to go out and tell jokes, especially not off color jokes. It is to share the Good News of the Kingdom through Jesus Christ.
If you happen to be in the midst of discerning whether God is calling you to ordained ministry, count the cost.
And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
(Luke 9:57-62 KJV)
Jesus left everything behind him to do his Father's will and his Father's will was for Jesus to die so that we might be forgiven and live reconciled to God. He loves us so much he was willing to give up everything. He was willing to live a life in which he would be loved by some and hated by many. He had no home to call his own. He was willing to sacrifice every creature comfort for our sake. He was willing to give his life for us.
"Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first."
(Matt 19:27, 29-30)
Jesus became a servant to all; willing to suffer and give his life on the cross for all. His personal needs came last. He is now first in his Kingdom. He is the King of Kings! As a pastor, you need to consider if you are really willing to be last. Are you willing to put the rest of God's children before yourself?
If you are considering a call into the ministry consider two things: 1. Is God really calling you to the ministry? 2. Have you counted the cost to yourself and to your family?
One last reminder of what it might cost:
"While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.
Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.
But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!
For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."
(Matt 12:46-50)
As a pastor, your family will be greatly enlarged. The joys will be increased and so will the number of sorrows. The Christian brother who is in need of spiritual care takes priority over your spouse for his moment of need. You get to leave the picnic and go! The family who is grieving the death of a child takes precedence over your own children.
It is a privilege to serve the Lord and his people, are you really ready for a privilege like dropping your personal life to go and share the Good News? Count the cost!
God's Peace - Pr. J
