“I apologize...”
There, I said it. Now I can go on without worry knowing that this has a potential of being a long post. Just in case I forget at the end, I said it up front.
Being a leader over a group of men is not easy. I am no Apostle Paul by ANY stretch, but at times it becomes clearer to me what he meant in 2 Cor 11:28 when he said “Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.” I am NO PAUL, and I clearly understand that.
I am, however, a very busy person. “I know… I know,” most all of us are busy, but I am speaking of me right now… not you, or us. Just me. I work a minimum of 12 hours a day most every day in a job that I love and for a boss that does the same thing and understands. That’s a bigger blessing than I can express.
In addition to my job, I spend a LOT OF TIME leading the ministry that God gave me and other men in Sept 2011. Every Wednesday night, with the exception of maybe 4-5 times a year, the brothers get together for our weekly meeting. 95% of the time I, often with the help of my wife, make home-cooked meals for an average of 18-20 men. Every. Single. Week. We do this gladly.
In addition to the food, I also study daily and prepare to teach what the Lord has laid on my heart to present to the guys. Sometimes there are very hard topics that are not easy to present, but… I do this gladly.
I spend hours and hours upgrading, maintaining, and repairing most of the brother’s bikes without charge, but… I do this gladly. It is part of my personal ministry.
Every week, someone or several come in to my shop that need to talk, ask a question, visit, or just pal around and I do this with a full heart and glad to do it. Sometimes the visits are tough as I must seek God’s Wisdom as I counsel or help a brother carry a burden or pray for a situation… and I do this with thankfulness because it was done for me.
When I see a brother struggling, hurting, or stepping off the narrow path, I do my best to get in the trenches with them and help them fight. I love my brothers and sometimes the love must be tough, but love nonetheless. I am learning.
I plan events, trips, meetings, design patches, order parts, write ministry documentation, and I could go on and on but I think the point is clear… I am a very busy person, but I do it ALL… gladly.
With the amount of time and effort involved, I still see some that have not truly embraced the ministry or understand the brotherhood. I’m praying about that.
In all this, in my flesh, I have at times wanted to throw in the towel and just sit in the back of the class.
At times, jobs like this are thankless.
At times, I feel taken for granted.
At times, it seems all of my effort and hours worked goes unappreciated.
At times... everything I feel is true. Most just don't know how much work I have put in to it all.
When all this happens and I feel worn out, unappreciated, or beat up, the Lord always come a knockin’. He always shows up and ministers to my spirit when I need it most. He gives me His strength and I stand again and keep moving. He is the All in All in my life and I am nothing without Him.
This ministry has been confirmed on more than one occasion and on a miraculous note. I know that if I keep Him first as the Vision, then everything is going to be ok. Galatians 6:9 reads “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” I DO NOT GIVE UP. I trust in HIM, for when I am weak, then I am strong. Strong in Him. It’s not my ministry. Its not the brothers ministry. It’s HIS ministry. We WILL reap a harvest.
Isaiah 40:31 "But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."
I will soar. I will run. I will walk. You can too.
In His Service,
Rooster