The "Heat" of Ministry

Summer is here, and it is hot!   How are you taking the heat?   The heat of summer is one thing, but being in the “heat” of ministry is a very different matter altogether.

I certainly do not mean “heat” of a negative kind, yet I believe that many of you know exactly what I mean.  Ladies, as we serve as pastors’ and ministers’ wives, we are in the “heat” of ministry, not the sweltering kind of heat from the dog days of summer, but from being on the front lines of ministry…..praying, serving, encouraging, supporting, teaching, planning, organizing, and a host of other things too numerous to mention.   But be encouraged, do not lose heart, and do not grow weary in doing good!  Why?  Our Glorious Savior is right there with us in the “fire”.  I am mindful of a wonderful example from the Scriptures (God’s Word is sooooo full of wonderful examples) to bless our souls; it reminds us that we are not alone.

You remember the story of the three Hebrew boys in Daniel Chapter 3; they were steadfast in their devotion to God. They knew that no matter what happened to them, God is always able to intervene in any situation. Furthermore, when they were thrown into the fire for being wholly dedicated to the Lord, the Bible says that they were not alone…..the presence of the Lord was with them in the fire; some believe it may have been an angel or the pre-incarnate Son of God Himself!  Their faith stood the test, and the Lord delivered them.

You may feel like you are all alone sometimes in ministry as the wife of a pastor/minister, but Jesus is right there with you.  Keep trusting and leaning on Him because He says, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you”.  Hebrews 13:5     He is always there even when we are not aware of His presence.

So when you are persecuted, misunderstood, slandered, discouraged, offended, and totally fed up, stay dedicated to the Lord!   He is with you, and just as the story of the Hebrew boys had a wonderful ending---remember they were not burned nor did they smell like smoke---our Savior can be with you in the “heat” of ministry and encourage your soul.

Also, we serve Him because we love Him; remember it’s all about loving Christ and doing the work of ministry out of love for Him.  So, if we all keep our eyes on Him as we serve on the front lines, we can take the heat and come out not smelling like smoke!!    

Here is a beautiful verse to meditate on…”When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.   For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”  Isaiah 43:2-3