The apostle Paul really understood the struggles of ministers and church planters. He knew what it was to feel like you were giving birth, to work hard but wonder if his disciples would stay faithful or be led astray. In Colossians 1:29 he writes "That's why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ's mighty power that works within me." Hmmm. He worked and struggled hard...in fact he says, "SO hard!" But he also knew how to do that in a way that was still "depending on Christ's mighty power" working through him. Sometimes that is a hard balance to find!
Did Paul ever find the yoke not so easy and the burden not so light? I think he probably did. As I read the epistles, I "hear" him writing about having "great anguish", being grieved, having a "troubled heart", and "many tears" as he wrote to the church in Corinth. Yet, he also wrote of being content and of having great joy too. He learned how to work hard while fully depending on Jesus' power. He knew how to do his part and let Jesus do his part.
The hunger in our hearts to see multitudes come to know Jesus, be transformed and go on to transform their nations comes from Jesus. Only He could give us that passion and heart. And, only He can do that great work! Only His power is great enough to do something so incredible through people like us. Yet, he does. He is. He will.
As you work and struggle hard, pressing on to see the dreams God has given you become a reality, lets remember like Paul that we can struggle but also trust, work hard but also depend on His power.
As we do our part, God will definitely do his too!
Did Paul ever find the yoke not so easy and the burden not so light? I think he probably did. As I read the epistles, I "hear" him writing about having "great anguish", being grieved, having a "troubled heart", and "many tears" as he wrote to the church in Corinth. Yet, he also wrote of being content and of having great joy too. He learned how to work hard while fully depending on Jesus' power. He knew how to do his part and let Jesus do his part.
The hunger in our hearts to see multitudes come to know Jesus, be transformed and go on to transform their nations comes from Jesus. Only He could give us that passion and heart. And, only He can do that great work! Only His power is great enough to do something so incredible through people like us. Yet, he does. He is. He will.
As you work and struggle hard, pressing on to see the dreams God has given you become a reality, lets remember like Paul that we can struggle but also trust, work hard but also depend on His power.
As we do our part, God will definitely do his too!
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