It’s About Time

Loneliness in the ministry.  This is a reality which all ministers of the Lord faces every now and then. This loneliness comes in different forms.

Sometimes loneliness comes to the pastor because of opposition from the foe and all ‘friends’ fled or desert him.  Other times, fellow-pastors ostracized the individual because of differences of opinion, or perceived deviation from the path of truth.  There are perhaps more, but I don’t have the time to elaborate or dwell on it.

A young man asks me recently if I feel isolated from the other preachers because of my stance against KJVO and for universal church. My reply was “no, I am not isolated but ostracized.”  Does it feel lonesome? I supposed at times I do, but only in the sense of sitting down for joking or bantering session, perhaps.  Truthfully, most if not of these men are not capable of cerebral conversation.  No, I am not being arrogant in saying that (though I am often accused of such when I verbalized it out loud).  It is lonely when one cannot discuss things or topics that are dear to one’s heart, or discussing without having to declare separation or being accused of being progressive.  There is no such thing as disagreeing on subject without being personal.  Every thing is personal it seems.  

The issue of universal church, or to be precise the belief in the Body of Christ being universal rather referring only to local assembly is unacceptable to other preachers here.  That is okay by me if they refused to acknowledge plain truth, yet they have to articulate or make nonsensical. I guess Solomon was right to say that with more knowledge comes more sorrow.  That one knows so much that it pains him to see the others miring with glee in their cesspool of ignorance.  

I guess I am disappointed also, in another group of individuals who seem to treasure their privacy to the point of being secretive of their plans in the service of the Lord.  I am not talking about bragging about one’s ministry but being open and share of one’s thoughts and plans and aspiration.  It seems folks are afraid that things don’t materialize so they lose face or fear of perceived lose-face, or failure.  I believe that once a person declares God’s calling on his life to be in full-time Christian service that is the end of privacy, so to speak.  Our lives are a fish bowl for all to see.  Frankly Paul tells us that our lives are to be an example to the believers regarding faith and truth.  Fear of sharing plans (for fear of hijack of ideas?); fear of sharing intended goals in life (fear of losing face if it changes?).  

I am persuaded a long time ago, to plod and press on even if no one else are like-minded.  Follow Christ, that is my moral compass.