A Friend's Wounds

Galatians 4:15–16 (NLT) Where is that joyful and grateful spirit you felt then? I am sure you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me if it had been possible. 16 Have I now become your enemy because I am telling you the truth?

Any Pastor can resonate with Paul at this point.  In two of his letters in scripture, Paul has to defend his calling and Apostleship to the very local churches he started.

In ministry, the honeymoon always eventually ends.

Paul first arrived in Galatia because of a sickness.  They take him in and care for him.  He leads them to Christ.  But leaves on a missionary journey.  Only to find out later false teachers had come into to disrupt the flock.  And attitudes toward Paul changed dramatically.  No longer is there care and concern, now there is animosity and distrust to the point that Paul has to ask, "Have I now become your enemy?"

How often that happens in the church.  

But notice Paul's pastoral heart.  He doesn't give up on them.  He doesn't forget them.  He yearns to lead them once again.  This is the heart of a Pastor.  He takes the licking and keeps on ticking over these people and the work he started in Christ. 

Galatians 4:19 (NLT) Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives.

He's agonizing over them.  He's loving them with intensity, like a mother bring forth a child into the world. This is what it means to disciple people.  They will frustrate you, distrust you, disregard you, but you are the "older" and "wiser" child of God who must bear with the failings of the weak (Romans 15:1). 

This is what a mature Christian looks like.  They don't get bitter, they love better and stronger.  

May we all come to such a place in ministry for one another.

PRAYER:

Father, I know I fall short in this area many times.  Give me the heart of Jesus.  Through the Holy Spirit, change me and make me a better example of the patience and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and help me care for your flock.  Amen