Many measure their lives in money, family, or some other tangible asset that people can count. It’s sometimes been said that a man can be measured by his friends, or by the number of people who attend his funeral. I wonder what Paul would have had to say about all that? We don’t know if Paul had any natural children. We know he considered many of his concerts his children, and his protege Timothy was very special to him as a son in the faith.
But Paul describes here an attitude toward the self, putting aside all of one’s accomplishments and the pride that comes with them. Instead he says that he prefers to measure his life in the ministry and preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a standard that if applied to each of us we might find ourselves wanting.
But each of us has a ministry. Whether a mom to her children, a husband to his wife, a social worker to her cases, a line to a factory employee, even a small church to a pastor. Having been in that last category, it is often a discouraging day to continue to minister in the small church, seeing the same people week upon week with no significant change. But being faithful and preaching faithfully, being a constant spiritual presence in someone’s else’s life can mean a great deal.
I want to encourage you this morning with this word from the Lord. Don’t measure your life by your accomplishments and prizes, but in the people who look to you as the anchor in the storms of life. In the people who seek you out when they need an encouraging word. Be mindful today of those people in your life. God bless you today.
Meritt Musings 