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All of us are in ministry because we want to “make a difference”. The difficulty with our work is that measuring the differences made is extremely difficult. How do you ever know if people are growing spiritually and morally?
The Gospel has a “curative” force. When people commit their lives to God there is a healing benefit. Sometimes we see dramatic curative results. People overcome addictions. Marriages are repaired. People find new purpose and meaning.
In addition to the curative force of the Gospel there is also a “preventative” force.
A preventative force is harder to measure but it is perhaps even more important. When people commit their lives to God, they seek His will. Their hearts are inclined to what is godly. They are spared the adverse consequences of an unconscious disobedience. They tend not to wander into addictive behaviours. They have an inner compass that keeps them out of negative entangled relationships. They make unselfish commitments that strengthen family stability. They yearn to improve their parenting. They seek ways to contribute to their community. They have an energy and a focus in their lives that helps them lift up people in need.
When people have a true experience of God, they gain thankfulness and inner satisfaction that is hard to measure, but which is a boundless benefit. When the meaning of people’s lives is increased, when the lonely are connected to community, and when people gain the strength to move beyond themselves, benefits flow.
There are many days in ministry when we wonder if we are really making any difference. When we answer the question, when we do the accounting, there are many unseen blessings and benefits we need to add into the equation!
Item 76
©2007 Ronald C. Ferris
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