“You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5, NET
Paul, while awaiting execution, continues to cheer on young Timothy. (Don’t you love that? He is facing death and he takes the time to encourage Timothy.) Paul pulls no punches in discussing the current difficulties of ministry. He speaks of desertion by fellow-believers, harsh opposition from unbelievers and from ‘religious’ people, widespread apostasy and growing persecution. That’s not a formula for fun.
Ministry is not easy. It never has been, and there certainly are seasons when the difficulty of ministry peaks. I’ve talked recently with quite a few friends who are pastors and who are feeling weary and discouraged these days. It seems the anti-Christian (anti-Christ) spirit Paul faced in his ministry is very prevalent in the USA today. It’s not an easy time to be a pastor.
About the best one can do is to keep checking the four corner-stones of pastoral service: (1) Be self-controlled in all things; (2) endure hardship {hardship happens}; (3) do an evangelist’s work {while you pastor the church, keep reaching out to unchurched people}; (4) fulfill your ministry. A sustainable pastoral ministry needs these four solid cornerstones. (You can’t build a skyscraper on a chicken-coop foundation).
Lord, thank you for helping Paul be faithful to the end. Thank you for keeping Timothy going after Paul was executed. Thank you for every faithful brother and sister in Christ who ever endured hardship and fulfilled their ministry in hard times. Because of their endurance I am a Christ-follower. May someone be a Christ-follower in twenty years because of my perseverance.