09 September 2007
The Hidden Griefs
A Lutheran pastor hears so many things that break his heart. And yet he can't talk about them to others. Only to the Lord. The struggles of God's people to live under His forgiving grace are huge. He asks himself continually: "How have I screwed up?" And he knows that he's screwed up in some major ways, that he hasn't gotten done a fraction of what the Lord has entrusted to him. At times, he wishes he could throw in the towel and walk away from it all. But that's not an option: he has a calling he has to struggle to fulfill, even as he confesses each night that he has failed to do so. He has to muddle on, living under the same forgiveness he seeks to preach to God's people. A forgiveness that is big enough to blot out the sin of the world, and strong enough to set all free from their disastrous and rebellious ways. And through it all, one charge remains paramount: "that Christ be formed in you." That's the only thing that matters, regardless what his sinful flesh or the sinful flesh of others may think is really important.
Pastor Weedon,
ReplyDeleteIs this not also the challenge of every Christian to fulfill their calling? Yes, a Pastor does hear things that 'break' their hearts, but is not the Pastor only a conduit or representative of Grace for the people from and for God and only as a witness and representative of confession and the pronouncement or reminder of the forgiveness of Christ and His forgiveness of all sins, no matter how small or great?
Yes, the Pastor has a hard role, but lest we forget our own log in our own eye and our need for forgiveness.
May God be with you as you minister to His people and are a witness to the confession of His people and recall for them and proclaim to them the sure message of the entire forgiveness for all of their sins through His death on the cross of Calvary.
Yours In Christ,
Darian L. Hybl
Take care William: that way lies burn-out.
ReplyDeleteDo you have a spiritual director or critical friend? I know the Lord provides us with strength and grace, but that is often through the ones He has set apart to be your supporters.
Don't just give it to the Lord, seek out His spiritual soul-mate for you.
Blessings
D.P.
Though I forget your exact wording, I will never forget a day in your church basement during PALS when you stated that every one of us could have someone tap us on our shoulder and say, "You are not fit for the ministry" - and that none of us could defend ourselves against such charge. Yet you never treated me that way, but always with the love and mercy and patience that Christ had shown you - and will continue to show you, for Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. (btw, I recommend you re-read Laache's devotion for New Year's based on Hebrews 13 - brilliant Gospel.)
ReplyDeleteI'm Pastor Weedon's friend, and I'm very critical.
ReplyDeleteHA! Are you ever!!!
ReplyDeleteNow, we must beware of committing the personal fallacy here. I spoke of the Lutheran pastor on purpose, and not simply about myself.
But it does remind me that it has been way too long since I saw my confessor and I intend to make an appointment in the very near future.
Pax!