Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort. with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:2–5, NKJV)
Called to be faithful, not successful. These are words that Pastor Kathy has offered to me numerous times when I have been on the verge of feeling like I was at my wits' end and was in dire need of encouragement. Today they are words that I speak to you, my brothers and sisters in Christ. Whether you are a preacher, a teacher, an evangelist, or just a child of God whose sincerest desire is to see others secure the same life change that you did through Christ.
I know it's hard not seeing the fruits of your labor, to invest in someone or a group of someones and see no noticeable difference in their lives, I know it's hard to pour yourself out until you feel as though you have nothing left to give, only to have it appear, based on a person's actions, that you have been wasting your time. Trust me you have not been wasting your time; you can't waste something that isn't yours to begin with.
Our time is no longer our own once we come to Christ; it's his and we live for him. The Christian has been called for God's purpose; our responsibility is to be obedient to that calling; success is God's responsibility. So. since "he who calls you is faithful..." (1 Thessalonians 5:24) and since we are called "...be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (Ephesians 5:1-2) Let us be who we were called to be: faithful servants of the most high God. He'll take care of the rest.
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