The Road Less Traveled

Matthew 7:14 "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

I read a blog tonight about what it's like for a pastor who has taken the road less traveled.  However, my article is not specifically for pastors, but for anyone that is in Christian leadership.  Matthew 7:13, 14 talks about the narrow and wide gates.  It basically says that those that are following Jesus are taking the narrow gate.  The narrow gate is not the popular choice.  It's narrow for a reason.  Not many will take it.

Anyone that is in spiritual leadership knows what it is to take the road less traveled.  It is littered with many trials, challenges, and obstacles that come in many forms.  One form may be people that are not willing to listen to you as you speak God's word.  They have chosen not to listen.  Another form may be the long hours that those in leadership endure with seemingly little encouragement and support.  Yet another form is gossip in the church.  Those in Christian leadership pour their heart and soul into the ministry because they do it for God.  However, they do have hearts that can be bruised and battered.  They may endure mockery.  They may endure sarcasm and skepticism.  Yet they continue on...for God.  That is a genuine love that they possess.  A leader may see someone going down the wrong path and long to warn them, but know that the person must realize it for themselves.  When they do attempt to warn them, it may not be accepted.

It is difficult to be a leader for God.  Spiritual leadership comes with many long nights of prayer... sleepless nights as they pray, out of love and concern, for someone.  It comes with daily work that often goes unnoticed by others.  Being a spiritual leader is not about the money or the material things.  Leaders often go without those things.  They do it because they love God.  It's not a glorious position...it's a challenging position.

I guess I'm writing this article in the hopes of encouraging those of you that are in the ministry.  When all seems dark and gloomy, please know that Jesus sees you.  He is aware of what you are going through.  He cares about you deeply.  I believe he looks at you with a gentle smile on his lips, as he thinks of the main reason you are enduring everything...out of love for him.  Please do not grow weary of teaching.  For even the most stubborn of hearts can be softened when listening to God's word.  Those nights that you simply can't sleep out of concern for sister or brother so-and-so are not worthless or wasted.  Your prayers for them will help to guide and protect them. 

Don't lose heart for I can almost guarantee you that in someone's prayers your name is being lifted to God followed by a thank you.  You may never hear the thank you yourself, but God certainly does.   It is that brother that had the bad report.  You prayed for him and he knew it.  When the results came back ok, he thanked God for your prayers.  It is that sister that left an abusive relationship and was pleading God for a way out to safety.  She came to you and you prayed for her safety and for God to get her to safety.  You then drove her to the safe house with her children.  Later that night, she said a prayer and thanked God for your help and prayers.  It is that family that lost a loved one.  You helped to organize a team of people to help with cooking meals.  That family ate well for a couple of weeks on what others cooked for them.  That family knew you had organized it and said a prayer thanking God for you.

Don't lose heart!  It is well with your soul.  Jesus said if you are weary to go to him and he will give you rest.  It is available for you.  Stand strong, for others see your love for God and long to have a relationship with God like you do.  You are a shining example of God's love.  People see Jesus in your gentle and nurturing actions and words.  Stand strong!