It seems in the last two years our little part of the Church has gone through great trials. We have seen lots of people come and lots go. We have had to practice Church Discipline on some and impose some restrictions on others until they either repented of their sin or left. It is not a fun thing to do as a pastor, but it is necessary out of love.
It all isn’t sad though. It is full of joy as well. I don’t often think of joy in discipline and correction, I do not take pleasure in it other than it is one of the rolls I fill as shepherd and pastor of the Father’s sheep. I ran across this verse the other day and it has been weighing heavily on my mind.
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
It is with sorrow that I approach some because I know they will not repent, I see it in their Facebook statuses, I see it on their face when we meet, I see it reflected by their eyes while the Word is preached. I hear it in their grumbling and complaining I see it in their interaction with others.
But, it is NOT all done in sadness. It is done also with great joy!
The joy comes when I approach a person about the sin that is in their life and they put the Gospel into practice again, turning to God, asking for forgiveness. I seek their restoration to a right relationship with god, their Christian brothers and to myself.
Father God, bring me to a greater joy in yourself and our work. Help me to share that joy with others.