Good Morning.

Then Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, everyone at the door of his tent; and the anger of the Lord was greatly aroused; Moses also was displeased. So Moses said to the Lord, “Why have You afflicted Your servant?” (Numbers 11:10-11)

Any one who has been involved with ministry any length of time knows that it can be very difficult to deal with people. Whether you teach a small class once a week or pastor a congregation of hundreds, ministry requires a great deal of patience, focus and inner strength. But as we see here, even the best of us have our moments and can give into despair. Most anyone who has been in a leadership position has wanted to quit and walk away because, contrary to what many might think, being a leader isn’t intended to satisfy a power trip — it is most certainly a burden to be borne.

That is not to say that it’s unattractive all of the time. Actually, ministry can bring great joy and spiritual satisfaction along with the growth that it provokes. Still, as long as we continue in this corruptible flesh, we must war with our wants, desires and emotions. Some are better at suppressing these negative impulses than others, and so it is that those  who are better, are often chosen to lead those who aren’t so good at it. Their job is to,  hopefully, inspire the others to get better at overcoming our baser instincts.

But let’s consider this part of the narrative: in spite of his complaints and the appeal to God to kill him, God wouldn’t kill him and Moses didn’t quit. Sure, he wanted to but he didn’t quit. When Elijah fled from Jezebel into the wilderness, he prayed, “LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers” (1 Kings 19:4). He wanted to quit and God wouldn’t let him — so he didn’t. Whatever our call — pastor or stay-at-home mom — and in spite of how hard it may be, we can’t shirk our duties and shouldn’t quit. Consider this: how many times, in the past, have you wanted to quit but didn’t because He saw you through the struggle? The point is, if He saw you through those tough times, He’ll see you through the current trial. Don’t quit. Keep moving.

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill 

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