A Burden for Others
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.”
Acts 20:29–31
Anyone who is involved with ministering to, caring for, teaching, and reaching others has days when it feels like what we are doing simply isn’t making a difference. We try everything we know to help people, only to see them refuse to listen. We invest in someone’s life, only to see them stray from God looking for greener pastures. We do all we can for someone only to hear that they’ve told a friend no one helped them when they were hurting.
How do you respond when things don’t go right? How do you continue to minister, work, and pray in the face of what seems like failure? A great part of the answer to those questions is found in the motivation for our service. When we are driven by a burden for the needs and condition of others and motivated by God’s love, we will not be deterred by a lack of apparent success. We will care more about their needs than about ourselves.
One of the greatest needs of the church in our day is a generation of Christian workers and leaders alike who are gripped by a vision of the desperate spiritual condition of those around us. They may not realize their peril, but we should. We need to care more for their needs and join with the ancient prophet Jeremiah in saying, “Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!” (Jeremiah 9:1).
Acts 20:29–31
Anyone who is involved with ministering to, caring for, teaching, and reaching others has days when it feels like what we are doing simply isn’t making a difference. We try everything we know to help people, only to see them refuse to listen. We invest in someone’s life, only to see them stray from God looking for greener pastures. We do all we can for someone only to hear that they’ve told a friend no one helped them when they were hurting.
How do you respond when things don’t go right? How do you continue to minister, work, and pray in the face of what seems like failure? A great part of the answer to those questions is found in the motivation for our service. When we are driven by a burden for the needs and condition of others and motivated by God’s love, we will not be deterred by a lack of apparent success. We will care more about their needs than about ourselves.
One of the greatest needs of the church in our day is a generation of Christian workers and leaders alike who are gripped by a vision of the desperate spiritual condition of those around us. They may not realize their peril, but we should. We need to care more for their needs and join with the ancient prophet Jeremiah in saying, “Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!” (Jeremiah 9:1).
Today’s Growth Principle:
If you care about the spiritual needs of others as Jesus did, you will keep doing all you can to help them.
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