Can You See Me Now?

My first husband and I were privileged to attend a minister's seminar that left lasting memories for more than one reason. Held in a casual setting that endued the entire experience with a vacation-like ambience, the services were good and uplifting, the extra-curricular activities fun, and the scenery to die for. What could be better? Then one of my favorite preachers ever had to throw a wrench in the works.

This man of God, this man who heard from God, was used mightily by God, this man showed his feet of clay. From the pulpit he laughingly related the words on a T shirt that had not only tickled him, but he thought showed great insight: If you're not the lead dog, the view never changes.

My husband and I blinked. So ... according to this bit of "wisdom", if God has not called you to be the head of a ministry but has instead called you to lift up the hands of the minister you work with, you are not only not so hot, you are also doomed to enjoy what can only be defined as yucky benefits. Somehow this didn't seem quite what Jesus meant when He said to take up our cross.

Apparently we were not alone in our thinking. Others felt the same way and took the minister to task. The next day, with a rather shamefaced demeanor, he stood up and apologized for the thoughtless comments. As anointed as that man could be, he had let himself get sucked up into the vortex of worldly wisdom. The world's economy says that success is based on being the top dog. God's economy works on a totally different plane. In God's economy, the marker of success is obedience. There is a valid ministry of helps in the body of Christ and if that is what God has called you to, it is not chaff or something to belittle.

God chose to bless Abraham "because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statues, and my laws" (Genesis 26:5). If God has called you to be a helper in the church, trying to usurp the pastor's position will not only upset God's order, it will not a good fit (like trying to put a square peg in a round hole), and will not command the blessing of obedience for you. There's a reason why Scripture says, "But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him" (1 Corinthians12:18).

Fulfillment in life does not come through trying to function in an aspect of ministry to which we are not called. Now, you wouldn't be human if you didn't hanker at some time or another to be able to bless God's people with a more visible ministry such as one that impels His children to worship (think music ministry). But God's richest blessings are to be found in doing things His way. Being called to a behind-the-scenes ministry is fulfilling--even if it brings with it its own challenges, those inherent in a ministry that is rarely acknowledged, much less praised.

Being in a "hidden" ministry that is rarely if ever appreciated might get lonely at times. No one thinks about the "lowly" children's workers, nursery workers, those who give of their time to clean or manage church activities. Preachers are lauded. Musicians are applauded. The behind the scenes ministries? Not lauded, not applauded, usually unappreciated. But there is One Who sees. There is One Who appreciates. There is One Who will reward.

I think my Grandma María had it right when she said our motto should be Colossians 3:23-24, "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."

A precious lady at a church we pastored was grateful that her husband came to the Lord through our ministry and experienced such an altering life change that their floundering marriage underwent a glorious transformation. In the spirit of this gratitude, she approached us and asked, "Is it okay if I clean the church? I am just so grateful for all that God has done, I would like to give back." Up till then, my working as a teacher precluded my helping my husband with the "john" ministry (as in, cleaning the johns); all the cleaning and upkeep fell on him. Can you imagine our reaction to her offer? Was it okay? Was it OKAY? Never mind the tears in our eyes, we wanted to do cartwheels, we were so blessed!

If as imperfect humans we were so, so blessed by this willingness to serve in such a humble capacity, how do you think Father God felt? The world might not see. The church people might not ever think of it. But God sees! And in due season He will bless you with a reward for your service!

Psalm 73 talks about how we shouldn't let the prosperity of the sinner cause us to stumble--there will come a day of reckoning for them determined by God. But there is no Psalm addressing the disparity seen between the blessings of well-known ministers versus the minuscule recognition/less formidable blessings given "hidden" ministries. The whiner in the family (that would be moi) complained about it to good ol' stalwart Dennis. His reply? This is not the end of the story. Though some will be rewarded in this life, there are some of us who will be rewarded in the life to come. Just because we don't reap a benefit now doesn't mean there won't be one later! Yes, David said, "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (Psalms 27::13). But Revelation is full of promises of rewards to the believer (at least seven in chapter 22) that will be given in the next life.

Why does God wait on some of the rewards till the afterlife? I think Dr. Seuss had it right: "I do not know, go ask your dad." For us as Christians, that would be our Heavenly Father. There are some things in this life (like the disparity of rewards here on earth) that we will not understand. That's what makes God God--He alone knows the why of everything. While some things He reveals to us on a "need to know" basis, others we are left to wonder about. What we can be sure of is that the why of everything always comes from His heart of love, always for our good (James 1:17).

So ... now, when I see a disparity in the church's appreciation of different ministries, I have learned to encourage myself in the Lord, even as David of old (1 Samuel 30:6). Our time of reward will come, maybe not when we want it, maybe when we least expect it. But God is faithful and it will come. In the meantime, I invite you to live a life of ministry to Him! Not our way, but His way!

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6:9).

"(God) will render to every man according to his deeds" (Romans 2:6)

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (Matthew 25:21).