It is too easy to get caught up in present ministry and future plans, but forget past blessings. As a preacher, whether you have only just begun or have been ministering for decades, you are not a self-made preacher. The truth is that people have marked you. Your ministry now is partly the result of past investment and example from others.
Let’s take half an hour and prayerfully go back over those people who have marked our lives for ministry. Perhaps you could take a piece of paper and list people that invested in you, or were an example to you. Make a brief note summarizing their influence. Take some time to give thanks to God for His work through them. Not only will this exercise allow for gratitude toward God, but it may also prompt an expression of gratitude toward others who have blessed you (who are still on earth), and a renewed passion to press on in your ministry. I suppose we could say that each of us is surrounded by our own personal cloud of witnesses!
Think of your early exposure to preaching and church ministry – perhaps a preacher who also noticed you and cared about you. Think about those who have invested time in you during your formative years, perhaps some were preachers, but took the time to pour into you. Think about those who opened doors for you to preach, to attend Bible school, to take on your first ministry role. Think about the trainers, perhaps in the local church, or perhaps in college or seminary (if only there were more trainers in churches, but let’s be thankful for both!) Think about inspiring examples you heard at key events, or regularly at certain stages of life. Think about formative books that shaped you in this area. Think about key prayer partners who believed in you. Think … make a note … give thanks … press on!
Great idea, thanks.
-Scott