The Toughest Job in America

Since working is an exchange of your time, energy and talent it is best to find a job that you love and enjoy.  However, many people are working in tough job fields.

The National Institute on Workers Compensation and the American Institute of Stress put together a list of "10 Tough Jobs". (1988)

1. Inner-city high school teacher
2. Police officer
3. Miner
4. Air traffic controller
5. Medical intern
6. Stock broker
7. Journalist
8. Customer service/complaint department worker
9. Waitress
10. Secretary

I agree that the above list contains some tough jobs.  I want to add one: 

Pastor

Being a pastor is one of the toughest jobs on the planet.  Pastors must correctly teach God's Word, confront false teaching before it spreads, proclaim the Gospel to non-believers, pray for all people, train and appoint leaders...and they must do all of this while serving as an example of what it looks like when you're maturing as a follower of Christ.

I have great respect for pastors. 

Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:13 that we should "Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work."

Although pastoring is tough, one of the joys that keeps me motivated is found in 3 John 1:4  "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

My reward is to see those I have taught walking in the truth.  This is the greatest satisfaction and fulfillment for pastors, teachers, preachers, mentors and spiritual leaders. 

Paul said "I have no greater joy."  This is the the goal of every pastor, whether in the home, in the church or in the ministries of the church.  We want to see people walking in the truth.

We teach the truth that others might hear and believe the truth.  Having heard and believed the truth, the next step is to appropriate that truth into our daily lives.  The truth is to be applied to the practical decisions and priorities of our lives.  Next, we want to see them walking in the truth on their own as they live for Christ and obey His commands.

It is one thing for them to obey in our presence or under our direct supervision; it is another thing for them to follow the right paths when we are not there to guide.  To hear that our spiritual children are continuing in the direction we helped steer them toward is the greatest encouragement we can receive.  For the parent, there is "no greater joy" than this.   The joy of seeing our children living for Christ is the greatest fulfillment we can have.

What is disheartening for any pastor is to know that you've poured yourself into someone; taken them under your wing; bailed them out of every problem imaginable; counseled them; loved them; instructed them and believed in them...only to have them "throw it out the window" as soon as some problem presents itself or the desire to sin resurfaces.

Temptation does not "creep up" on us.  The desire to sin must be crucified and dealt with so that temptation has nothing to "hold on to" in our lives.

James said "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of HIS own lust, and enticed.  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin:  and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." (James 1:14-15)

We're tempted as long as there is
something inside of us to be tempted. 

I meet people all the time who say that they want to live for the Lord, get involved in the ministry, set their life in order, turn over a new leaf, etc., (you name it...I've heard it).  They may even start out good for awhile, but unless they KILL that OLD MAN and his DESIRES it's not long till they're back to the same old WORLDLY practices.

• Back to the bars.
• Back to sleeping around.
• Back to their old friends and lifestyle.
• Back to their worldly way of surviving life.
• Back to lying, cheating and manipulating.

They just DON'T WANT to let go of that lifestyle.  Something in them keeps hanging on to it.  Even though they've ended up in the ditch, lost everything they have and are on a head-on collision with HELL.

That something is called
THE DESIRE TO SIN! 

I believe it also comes from the desire to be INDEPENDENT from God or to be equal to God.  This is, in fact, a root issue with sin.  Certainly, if we did not desire to be independent from God, a vast majority of sin would never occur.

Friend, until we kill the DESIRE to sin...it will occupy our life and cause utter destruction. 

As a pastor, I've tried to help people who say they want help.  But I've learned that I can give them instruction, biblical guidance, 24/7 attention and continual prayer...but I can't make them OBEY. 

The will to obey has to come from within.
It has to come from a heart that is contrite
and a spirit that is broken.

Paul said "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.  They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.  Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." (Hebrews 13:17)

You can make a big deal about obeying and submitting, but keep in mind that our number one objective is to become one with Christ, who is one with the Father.  In other words, we want our hearts and minds to line up with God's heart and mind.  We submit to God's heart and mind, and we show our love for Him when we obey Him.

If your pastor is walking toward oneness with Jesus, who is already at one with the Father, then it's perfectly reasonable for us to move toward that same oneness with Jesus, meaning we swing into alignment behind our pastor.

This places a huge amount of responsibility on a pastor.  He has to keep in line and then encourage you to keep in line.

Pastoring is tough.  But it's worth it! 

Pray for me today, that I may continue to walk in the truth, and purpose to bring me personal joy by walking in the truth with me.  (3 John 1:4)