The minister confessed something that no one in the crowd expected. It wasn't a confession of a scandalous nature, but his words still shocked everyone.
He told us about how his weight was impacting his ability to properly minister to his people. If he ever gave an altar call, he would find himself completely out of energy after praying for only a few people. What was the problem? The problem was not his lack of desire, but his lack of good health.
He desired to pray for more people, but his body would not allow him the strength that he needed to do the job.
I just wonder if there might be a physical application to this verse? Could it be that if we allow the care of our bodies go by the wayside, that our ministries will be cut short? Could it be that if our weight decreases then His ability to work through us will increase?
If we were to sit down with the minister mentioned above, I know that he would tell you of his regret. He constantly wonders to himself what might have happened if he had simply had the energy to pray for people when they needed it.
One of the greatest ways to stay energized for God is to stay energized physically.
Just a thought.
Good thought, Daniel. Certainly this is a matter that most don't want to talk about but needs to be addressed.
ReplyDeleteStay on the cutting edge, Daniel!
Ouch! That hits right where it hurts - at the stereotypical image of a Pentecostal preacher's waistline! Those are strong words of admonition that we all should heed. Thanks for the (cattle) prod!
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, my father was a pastor who suffered from physical disabilities, yet his "thorn in the flesh" caused him to minister with compassion to others who could relate to chronic pain and depression. Yes, his ministry was limited to very small churches: but, he could accept those pastorates without a salary, because he was on disability benefits. His ministry was "cut short" as you wrote, because his life was short-lived. But, God will use even those with broken bodies for His glory.