Tag: Work

Devotionals

Your work will never be forgotten by the Lord

Loring Schultz

“For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.” Hebrews 6:10 NLT

Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels.com

            The following is from the Barna Group, April 27, 2022, “As of March 2022, the percentage of pastors who have considered quitting full-time ministry within the past year sits at 42 percent. Over half of pastors who have considered quitting full-time ministry (56%) say ‘the immense stress of the job’ has factored into their thoughts on leaving. Beyond these general stressors, two in five pastors (43%) say ‘I feel lonely and isolated,’ while 38 percent name ‘current political divisions’ as reasons they’ve considered stepping away.” (1)

            No doubt, being a pastor is no easy job. It’s not a profession to pursue seeking to become rich, for most anyway, but is a calling to preach the gospel and minister to the church family. Pastors today encounter a host of problems and concerns that their predecessors never dealt with or even thought possible. With that being said God called them both in their time to minster to their generation.

            Of the many reasons given by pastors who have considered leaving the ministry, the most disturbing may be the feeling of loneliness and isolation. It is hard to imagine that those who care for so many by personal contact would feel this way. But that is the case for 43% who answered the survey. Perhaps some of these feelings come from a sense of ingratitude and/or of being taken for granted, after all it is the pastor’s job. This should be an eyeopener for all us in the church to be more supportive of our local pastors.  

            A word of encouragement for all pastors from the writer of the book of Hebrews, which I’m sure you are familiar with, “For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.” (Heb. 6:10 NLT) And when Christ returns, he will bring with Him your crown of glory to lay at His feet. “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (1 Pt. 5:4 ESV) Yes, your work will never be forgotten by the Lord.

(1) Pastors Share Top Reasons They’ve Considered Quitting Ministry in the Past Year – Barna Group

Devotionals

What has God Assigned You to Do?

Loring Schultz

“We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.” John 9:4 NLT

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

            Every believer in Christ has been given a specific assignment by God when we became a Christian. The problem is many Christians, me included, have a hard time figuring out what that assignment is. I retired a year ago after forty-five years in retailing, most of them in management. That was God’s assignment for me although there were times it felt like God made a mistake, or somehow, I missed his direction. Several times throughout my career, mostly during times of pressure and stress, I tried to get out from under God’s assignment only to be brought back in to where he had placed me. I regret not realizing it earlier during my retail days, I could have saved myself a lot of trouble. But the Lord made it clear to me during my final years in the job it was where He had assigned me and wanted me to be for all forty-five years.

            Jesus says, “We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.” (Jn. 9:4 NLT) Forty-five years is a long time, but for us in retirement age, it seems like yesterday, therefore one needs to work quickly for there will be a day you will work no more. We must not squander any of the opportunities God assigns for us during our vocational years or in retirement, for a Christian never really retires. God continues to assign certain tasks and responsibilities to each of us. Those assignments are specifically designed for you. Only you can carry out these tasks as God has equipped you to reach those only you can reach.

            So, what has God assigned you to do? You may be struggling with not knowing what God’s assignment is for you, or you may feel as I have that God made a mistake. Start at the beginning, where you are right now is God’s assignment for you, it’s no mistake. Pray, read, and study God’s Word and He will direct you. Live your life as a Christian, loving God with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself. Be a shining light in this dark world to all outside of Christ. Be sensitive to open doors and opportunities for new assignments the Lord may be leading you to. And be careful to quickly carry out those assigned tasks for we do not know when ‘the night is coming, and then no one can work.’

Devotionals

Unfinished Business

Loring Schultz

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom……..…..Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” Psalm 90:12, 17 ESV

            “This too shall pass” is a familiar comment used by many in referring to circumstances that are mostly undesirable, although not always. As we come to a close of another year, yes this too shall pass. Most of us cannot wait until this year is over with all its turmoil. A New Year brings with it a ray of hope for a better year and a brighter future. But what about any unfinished business for this year that is on our agenda, and we all have some. If you are like me, you pass it on to the next year for there is not enough time left to finish it in the current year. It is fine to continue on with projects, goals, and the fulfilment of desires pushing them into the following year, but none of us are guaranteed another year to complete our projects or to reach our goals. It is time for us to realize the importance of each day in doing our work, the work the Lord God has given us to do.

            I remember many years ago my grandfather telling me how fast time flies and the fastest time for him was between the ages of 60 and 80. As I find myself now in that bracket I realize what he meant. A few years ago while discussing matters of the church with a colleague of mine, he asked me if I had an “exit plan.” I had never given that any thought until then. But the fact is, the Lord has assigned each of us work and given us opportunity to perform that work where He has placed us. The Lord has placed each of us strategically where we live, work, and Worship Him for His purposes, and He has given us the time in which to accomplished those tasks.

            How are you using the time He has given you? We know for certain when one calendar year ends and another begins, however there is not one of who knows the amount of time God has given on this earth to do His work. Let us not leave any Unfinished Business, for this too shall pass.