The Gospel Coalition

Why?

Because I get to get back to work!  I love what I do, Who I do it for, the people I do it with, and the hope of eternal reward after the doing.  What’s not to love about the privilege of serving in pastoral ministry?

And I want to be wary of a heart that’s slothful or sluggish or lazy.  I want to be wary of a dullness toward pastoral ministry that takes me off mission.

The words of Thomas Boston at the conclusion of The Art of Manfishing seem appropriate at the beginning of a new year:

You know not when your Master will come.  And blessed is that servant whom, when his Lord shall come, he shall find so doing. If Christ should come and find you idle, when he is calling you to work, how will you be able to look him in the face?  They are well that die at Christ’s work.

“They are well that die at Christ’s work.”  Amen.

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the apostle Peter could assure, “when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”  He writes this to those he calls to “shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you…” (1 Pet. 5:2, 4).

Onward brothers into the labor!  With a new year give new zeal to the task as we await our Savior!  Be thrilled to be back at the plow!