It's Sunday Morning.
God chose Saturday night, of all nights, to bring snow. Doesn't He realize these people don't have a snow removal contract? Doesn't He realize all they have is Joe and his old, rusted-out F250 with a snow blade and no heater to clear the parking lot? Doesn't He know that the pastor had to toil late into the night Saturday to prepare his message, because his 5 day, 40 hour work-week is really 6 and 60? Doesn't He know that same pastor will have to get up two hours earlier to clear the sidewalks and make sure the furnace fires up?
Doesn't God know snow means half the small congregation won't show up? Doesn't He know they're struggling, barely making ends meet? Doesn't He know the pastor is nearly killing himself working his day job and trying to care for the flock when he can? Doesn't He know this man wants, more than anything, to serve Him? Doesn't God know this man, this pastor, wants to see this small church not only live, but thrive?
How are they supposed to do that? How can they? They don't have much. The church is old, and needs a roof. Their small fellowship hall in the basement is dark and sadly outdated. The pews are old, hard, and well worn. The carpet is fraying. The windows are drafty. The utility bill goes up every year. Money isn't tight. It's inadequate. They can't pay a pastor what he needs, what he earns, what he deserves.
Snow means a small attendance. Look close. You can see three cars. Is that all that will show? Maybe more will come. Maybe not. The offering plates will be all too empty. Those there may kick in a little extra, if they can. The pastor will probably have to cover the electric bill--again. That means working a little more during the week, pushing for another sale, another contract. That means another missed dinner with the family.
Is this God's blessing? Is this success?
In town, things are different.
The city plows clear all the streets. A team of shiny new trucks all too gladly show up bright and early to clear the new concrete parking lot, contract pre-paid. The pastor wakes from his parsonage, thankful to leave the car in the garage, and walks to his pulpit. He's thankful for the hours he has been able to devote to the flock God entrusted him with. He's thankful for the children's program, the food pantry ministry, the weekly meal they serve to the needy. It's hard work, but it's worth it. God has blessed them.
What does success look like?
If we were to judge from the outside, which we all too often do, the answer is obvious. But what if a man--failing his marriage, his kids, himself--wakes this frigid morning and realizes he's as cold and dead inside as the snow blowing past his window? What if the only church he knows is that little old country church his grandma took him to as a child. What if this was the day he decided he needed something, and didn't know what it was, but knew where to look? What if today was the day?
What if that country pastor, tired and worn out, had listened to God, and without 20 hours to spend preparing a message through the week trusted the Holy Spirit and prepared a message on John 3:16. What if he preached Romans 3:23, followed with Romans 6:23, and closed with an invitation. What if that man, that lost soul, answered God's call to salvation? What if he found eternal life that cold, snowy day in that little old drafty church and became a new creation. What if everything changed for him, his wife, his kids. If he was the only one for the week, the month, even the year, would that be a success?
Maybe that church in town welcomed 50 to saving faith in Jesus Christ last year. Would God even notice one?
Yes, He would.
I believe Heaven would explode with joy.
Angels would sing hallelujah. The cherubim and seraphim, the 24 elders, the entire heavenly host around God's throne would bow their heads in amazement and sing, Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty! Another one is saved--Glory be to God!
One eternal soul. Who can put a price on that? How many hours of work, dedication, prayer, sacrifice, and everything else is one soul worth? What could be, should be given up for the sake of one life gaining eternity with Christ? If you are called to serve, what should you be willing to do to answer? As a pastor. As a Sunday School teacher. As an usher, a greeter, to serve on the worship team, to go on a mission trip, to visit someone, to be in small group . . . To serve God.
Can God really sustain us? Do we really trust Him? Can God give us the strength to work 60 hours a week and serve Him? Can God maintain our health, our wealth, our families when the world says it's impossible? Do we really believe that we can do all things through Him who strengthens us?
Can we dare to work less for the world--to give up the world--for the sake of God's work? Is it worth it to downsize, restructure, to need in order to serve Him if that's what He calls us to do? Can we really afford to give up earthly comfort and security for the sake of faith and obedience? Are we willing to be called crazy, irresponsible, fanatic? Are we willing to face the world's scorn, displeasure, ridicule? Is pleasing God more important to us than pleasing the world? Is succeeding in God's work worth failing our own worldly expectations?
If you only changed one life this week, would it be worth it? Would God call that success?
Yes. I believe He would.
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