No commentary today – just a list. I realize no pastor will have experienced all these things yesterday, but I pray all of us who pastor experienced at least one of these. If you did—and even if it was only one—rejoice!
- Looking forward to the day with great anticipation because they love the Lord and the church
- Hearing the prayers of a group of believers lifting them to the Lord as they began the day
- Meeting a visitor at their service
- Seeing a prodigal son or daughter return
- Knowing they were walking in purity and obedience as they stood before the people of God
- Rejoicing over great singing and praise from the voices of God’s people
- Quietly praying with someone who’s just hurting
- Hearing a story of answered prayer
- Seeing someone at church who IS an answer to prayer
- Having the entire Bible in their language, and in their hands
- Preaching the Word without threat of persecution
- Seeing the grace-filled eyes of a new believer
- Baptizing someone wanting to illustrate new faith
- Sharing the Lord’s Supper with brothers and sisters in Christ
- Kneeling on the ground to greet a child who just loves his or her pastor
- Commissioning church planters or missionaries out of their church to go to neighbors and the nations
- Greeting a couple whose wounded marriage is healing under God’s grace
- Reconciling with a member with whom there had been disagreement
- Sensing genuine love from their church family
- Trusting at the end of the day that God said, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”