Anniversaries are nostalgic times. Early on and at the start of ministry I wondered if I would even make it to the proverbial end of ministry. 23 years later and I wonder if I will even make it to the proverbial end of ministry. Word on the street is only 1 our of 10 makes it to the finish line. Ministry is harder today than in a very long time. Pastoral burnout is all around. Etc. Etc. Etc. Friends and classmates sinned out, burned out, or quit. Here are my top five reasons to stick with it and fight for the finish line:

Cowboy up!

Dealing with farmers and cowboys here in Nebraska there is an attitude of the hard is part of the job and the joy. That work is worthwhile because of what it will produce. That one is capable to doing something that is essential though overlooked. Why engage in ministry? Because it is a hard, grueling, work that meets an essential need. So, cowboy up! It’s what we do!

The boomerang comes back

When you are in ministry long enough you see that todays complainants and criticisms are often tomorrows victories. You see that often the people you thought wouldn’t make it do, and sadly those you that would don’t. More so, you see that ministry is like planting trees, the best time to plant is 20 years ago or today. What you plant comes around to produce fruit. You need to trust God. Things, both good and bad, will back to you, and often with a spirit of victory. Don’t quit or you wont get your boomerang back!

Easier is a mirage

Midway through ministry you see that easier is a mirage, and people are thirsty. Embrace the hard, the challenge, the pain. This is biblical because the New Testament SCREAMS about endurance. We want simple, quick, intuitive, etc. Sometimes, often times, always ministry is work. Do the work of ministry. Study to show yourself a workman. Deny yourself, pick up your cross, and follow Jesus. Rather than chase the mirage, help people drink deeply of the living water, then get back on your horse and keep riding. And drink deeply yourself! Wanting it easy may mean you’re just thirsty. Rest, hydrate, get back on the horse! Tiredness is a reward if you plan times to recharge.

New boots need to be broken in

Boots eventually wear out and you need to replace them. The sad thing is that means discomfort for awhile until the new pair is broken in. You don’t notice it the first time, but the second, third, fourth time you grow grumpy of having to do it again. Embrace learning new things. Get the new boots and break them in. Being teachable is part of being faithful. It doesn’t mean your old boots are bad, but different times often call for a fresh pair. But, each pair of boots has their own stories to tell. Boots are for story tellers, so develop legends of God’s goodness. When you do, you become the encourager at the campfire.

A map, a compass, a friend, a sword

You need to know where you are going to keep going. You need compass to guide you in the right direction. You need a friend to go with you. You need a sword to defend what is important. All of these take skill, practice, time, and patients. But only the Bible can fit all these things. The Bible shows you where you need to go. It is your compass when you lose your way, and you will. The Bible is a friend to comfort, cheer, and push you when you need it. The Bible is your best defense against your pride and the attacks of the evil one. A shepherd is a warrior who guards the sheep. There are times you are wondering but not lost; directionless but not aimless, lonely but not alone, vulnerable but not undefended. What is entrusted to you must be handed off to the next because it is worth it. The Bible is entrusted to you to hand off because it is worth it. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of God remains forever. Keep riding!

One more thing…

You GET to teach the Bible. You GET to tell of God’s goodness through its pages. You GET to train people how to share the good news of Jesus who died for us while we were yet sinners, and rose again! You GET to carry on a tradition that topples strongholds, heals families, infuses hope, softens our struggles, and sharpens our strengths. You GET to empower people to overcome evil with good, redeeming the time for the days are evil. While all work is honorable before God, you GET to care for that which Jesus gave His life for. 23 years taught me it is worth it. The cross before me, the world behind me, no turning back, no turning back.