I've been reading a book called "The Master's Plan for the Church", by John MacArthur. It has been very convicting, but two paragraphs in particular have really made me stop and think.
1. J. Oswald Sanders writes that if a man "is unwilling to pay the price of fatigue for his leadership, it will always be mediocre" (Spiritual Leadership, p. 175). He also says, "True leadership always exacts a heavy toll on the whole man, and the more effective the leadership is, the higher the price to be paid" (p. 169). Because we understand the urgency of our ministry, we will not mitigate that price. Weariness, loneliness, struggle, rising early, staying up late, and forgoing pleasures all come with excellence.
2. Richard Baxter (1615-1691) wrote that the ministerial work, "must be managed laboriously and diligently, being of such unspeakable consequence to others and ourselves. We are seeking to uphold the world, to save it from the curse of God, to perfect the creation, to attain the ends of Christ's redemption, to save ourselves and others from damnation, to overcome the devil, and demolish his kingdom, and set up the kingdom of Christ, and attain and help others to the kingdom of glory. And are these works to be done with a careless mind or a slack hand? O see then that this work be done with all your might! Study hard, for the well is deep, and our brains are shallow. (The Reformed Pastor [London: James Nisbet and Co., 1860 reprint], 164-65)
