GodSprings - January 1, 2016

Counting Numbers or Being Faithful

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

I press on toward the goal to win the prize

for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14

The world we are living in always marks us with the numbers we have. Be it school, be it office, be it home, be it church – numbers matter a lot. The number of clothes you have, the number of cars you have, the salary you earn, the marks you got in examination and the list goes on. A year has passed and we are blessed with a new dawn. We can enter this year looking at the numbers we have gained in our respective areas. Students can assess their marks, working men and women can assess their incentives, priests and evangelists can assess the number of people in their congregation.

There are chances that the world might not appreciate you for what you have done. Just because you don’t fulfill the numbers. Does God look at numbers? Reading the parable of talents in Matthew 25:14ff we might be tempted to think so. But I feel more than numbers it is faithfulness that matters.

An elderly preacher was once rebuked by one of his deacons one Sunday morning before the service. “Pastor,” said the man, “something must be wrong with your preaching and your work. There’s been only one person added to the church in a whole year, and he’s just a boy.” The minister listened, his eyes moistening and his thin hand trembling. “I feel it all,” he replied, “but God knows I’ve tried to do my duty.” On that day the minister’s heart was heavy as he stood before his flock. As he finished the message, he felt a strong inclination to resign.

After everyone else had left, that one boy came to him and asked, “Do you think if I worked hard for an education, I could become a preacher—perhaps a missionary?” Again tears welled up in the minister’s eyes. “Ah, this heals the ache I feel,” he said. “Robert, I see the Divine hand now. May God bless you, my boy. Yes, I think you will become a preacher.”

Many years later an aged missionary returned to London from Africa. His name was spoken with reverence. Nobles invited him to their homes. He had added many souls to the church of Jesus Christ, reaching even some of Africa’s most savage chiefs. His name was Robert Moffat, the same Robert who years before had spoken to the pastor that Sunday morning in the old Scottish kirk.

Yesterday we might have taken new resolutions. But the most important of all should be ‘Lord, help me to be faithful.’  May this is the prayer everyday and may we strive forward to attain it.

God Bless You and Happy New Year.