The True Measure of Ministry
Jan 26 2024 - Eric Buresh
Newsflash -- I sin way more frequently than I’d like and generally act the fool in the process. On the upside, I do try very hard to learn from my sins, to not repeat them, and to share with others what I’ve learned so that they can avoid my failures. So, here’s another one . . .
Recently, the Lord laid on my heart to mediate a conflict that I had seen brewing between a brother and sister in Christ, and that was growing more acrimonious by the day. I was not looking for conflict, of course, but this was a dispute that was within my sphere of influence and concern, and the Spirit had made it clear to me multiple ways that I needed to step in. The Spirit also had repeatedly confirmed how He wanted me to address this conflict. He had given me a clear picture of gentle questions, patient inquiries, and -- over time -- confession and restoration. The Spirit was letting me know to expect a slow process.
Well, who has time for that approach!?! Apparently, not me. I did step in to resolve the conflict as the Spirit had led, but I did it the way I wanted. A little arm twisting, a few references to Biblical commands, and a little direct talk about what I expected to see happen, and “bada bing, bada boom,” problem solved. Really, I think it was. To the credit of my brother and sister, they received the rebuke, apologized to each other, and as best I could tell by outward appearances, the conflict evaporated and they committed to functioning well together again.
The next day, I’m sitting with the Word and praying. I thanked God that the conflict was resolved, and for leading me to be an instrument in that resolution, and I pretty much expected to hear a “well done” in return. Instead, my heart and mind instantly became unsettled. I bowed my head lower and simply asked, “What?” And here is what I heard: “Eric, you did what I asked, but you didn’t do it how I asked. Your brother and sister saw you act. You didn’t let them see Me act.” Pause. Realization. Pause. “Eric, you acted just like Moses.” Pause. Confusion. Pause.
The conversation wasn’t over yet, but my Father gave me a moment to catch up. I let my mind run through the stories of Moses, and it didn’t take me long to realize the Spirit was saying that I had acted like Moses with the rock in Numbers 20:1-13. God told Moses to talk to the rock and He would bring forth water. Instead, Moses struck the rock aggressively. Water flowed, but because Moses put on a show himself, he did not make God the focus before the people, and God disciplined Moses because he was not faithful to God’s instructions. Moses did it his way.
I did act just like Moses. I did it my way. “I’m sorry Father. What now? Am I going to be disciplined like Moses?” I listened: “Eric, just learn from this moment. I forgave your sin before you even did it.” Yes, that’s right!
I did learn, and here is my conclusion: the true measure of ministry has nothing to do with apparent success. For Moses, water flowed. For me, reconciliation occurred. Both looked like success. Yet, both Moses and I were failures in that moment of our ministries because the true measure of ministry is how faithful we are to God’s Word and the Spirit’s leading. The end does not justify the means. Faithfulness matters.