2 Corinthians 1:14 and the Discouraged Minister

Those who engage in ministry, both lay and clerical, have times when they wonder if they are really making a difference.  They also have times when they feel their ministry is unappreciated or underappreciated.  I’ve certainly had those times.

One reason we may feel that way is we cannot see what influence our faithfulness has on the future.  Not being omniscient, we can hardly see what influence we are having even now. We are very limited both by time and our perception.

2^ndCorinthians, assigned for Morning Prayer in the Pre-Lent season in some lectionaries, reveals Paul’s heart as a minister perhaps the most of his epistles.  He very much opened his heart to the Corinthians when some had closed their hearts to him.  Both letters to the Corinthians indicate that some in the church at Corinth did not appreciate St. Paul’s ministry much.  And that church had issues.  Yes, I am engaging in some understatement here.

Paul hints at the lack of appreciation in 2^ndCorinthians 1:13,14:

For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand— just as you did partially understand us… (ESV)

St. Paul is saying nicely that there were times when the Corinthians were not very understanding toward his message and his ministry.  They surely must have made him wonder how much of a positive impact he was having on that divided chaotic headstrong church. Yet immediately he then expressed the following confidence: “…on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.” (ESV)

The King James uses “rejoicing” instead of “boast.” But the gist is the same: “on the day of our Lord Jesus” when Jesus returns to fully establish his kingdom, the positive impact of Paul’s ministry will become fully evident and will result in great rejoicing.  The same can be said of all the ministry of the faithful.  For though now we see those we touch “dimly” if at all, then we shall see “face to face.” (I Cor. 13:12)

There is a song that was popular among evangelicals in the late 80’s and early 90’s, “Thank You” by Ray Boltz.  In hindsight, it might be a bit sentimental and perhaps too man-centered (And Boltz’s history later on is, well, mixed.), but the song deeply touched me during that time when I often felt underappreciated.  To be honest, I got teary-eyed when I reviewed the lyrics this week.  Here is the heart of the song, set in Heaven:

Then another man stood before you
And said, "Remember the time
A missionary came to your church
And his pictures made you cry.
You didn't have much money,
But you gave it anyway.
Jesus took the gift you gave
And that's why I am here today."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

One by one they came
Far as the eye could see.
Each life somehow touched
By your generosity.
Little things that you had done,
Sacrifices made,
Unnoticed on the earth
In heaven, now proclaimed.

And I know up in heaven
You're not supposed to cry.
But I am almost sure
There were tears in your eyes.
As Jesus took your hand
And you stood before the Lord.
He said, "My child, look around you.
Great is your reward."

Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord.
I am so glad you gave.

Among the manifold reasons for rejoicing in God’s kingdom will be that we will get to see the trophies of God’s grace, including lives in which God used us. Among them will be many about whom we now have hardly a clue, but will then get to see face to face.

2 Corinthians 1:14 is a reminder of that we all need from time to time.