All throughout life and ministry, we face moments that make us think “Why bother?” You take a stand in your world, and it seems to have no effect. You pray for an unsaved or wayward loved one, but there is no change. You spend a lot of time and effort investing in someone who turns against you. You pray and labor but there seems to be no increase in your ministry.
You are tempted to quit.
In Luke 5, Peter had an instance where it seems that nothing made a difference and he wasn’t getting any return. He fished all night and caught nothing! I’m sure he thought, “Why Bother?”
Luke 5:5 says,
Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night & haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.
True fishermen don’t quit.
Galatians 6:9 says,
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don’t give up.
Is God asking you to do something that others think is crazy? Is God asking you to keep going when others say it’s time to quit? Here are three helps to keep going in ministry.
Remember why you entered ministry in the first place.
The reason you entered ministry in the first place was, “Because He said so.”
At some point, you had an encounter with God and it changed everything. You answered the call of the master and because He said so you entered ministry.
It wasn’t for a “career” or to become a professional minister. The master spoke. You heard and obeyed. You answered the call.
Surround yourself with the right people.
One of the things that saved my ministry a few years ago was surrounding myself with the right people. Surrounding yourself with other pastors and people who encourage you, sharpens you and lifts you up.
Surround yourself with people who care about you and not just your church or ministry.
One of the greatest tactics of the enemy is to isolate you and make you feel you are the only one going through what you are going through. It’s a lie! The truth is every pastor has been through similar situations and can help you get to the other side.
Keep throwing out the net.
Keep throwing out the net! Keep building what He’s called you to build. Don’t stop. Don’t quit.
God is in the net breaking, boat sinking, life transforming, and miracle working business!
So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. (Luke 5:7)
He will come through. Even if you fished all night and don’t have anything to show for it, throw the net over one more time.
There are hundreds or thousands of people in your city that are counting on you to keep “fishing.”
Your greatest days are ahead! Marriages will be restored, lives will be changed, and people will be healed because you choose to be persistent and throw out the net again.
