But is Jesus talking about getting old and frail? It would seem unlikely that this is what he is addressing here.
He has just had a conversation with Peter about taking care of Christ’s sheep. Jesus was giving Peter the command to care for the believers. Now he talks about going where he doesn’t want to go. And then he concludes the whole thing with the statement, “Follow me!”
In light of all that we have looked at so far this week – considering where we fit in with ministry, believing in ourselves, trusting in the guidance Jesus gives – we may be able to see these words are more about our faith life and less about getting old. When we were young in our faith, when we were immature in our beliefs, it is possible we did not give much consideration to the things we could do to serve God and help others.
But as we mature in our faith, as we grow deeper, we may find ourselves doing things we had never considered doing before. We may find that we are needed at the hospital bedside even though we would rather not be around those who suffer. We may find that we are called on to pray for others when we never thought of ourselves as good at praying. We may find that we need to give up something we WANT so that someone else can have what they NEED.
We need to estimate what it is we are able and willing to give to ministry. How do we fit in? And we may find that as we grow closer to Christ we will be willing to do those things we were not willing to do before.
What we must trust in is the fact that Jesus has invited us to follow him. And if we follow him we can trust that it is the hands of Christ that lead us.
DAILY CHALLENGE: Where will you go in ministry? Is it a place you do not want to go?
