Summary: Do not allow the hardships of your calling to fuel discontentment. You get to labor for the Lord. Be happy. This life is short. Eternity awaits us.
Philippians 3:1 says “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.”
Imagine a wonderful summer day. The sun is out. The temperature is pleasant. The screen door, however, provides a sad juxtaposition. You see the painful contrast between two flies on either side of the screen. The flies seem desperate to switch places. The fly on the inside just wants to be “out” and the fly outside just wants to be “in.”
I have seen ministry leaders develop a disdain for their calling and just want “out.” Yet, I have seen discontented lay leaders who want nothing more than to quit their marketplace job and be “in” ministry. I wanted “out” of my teaching job and wanted “in” so badly. Therefore, I want to praise God for the sacred opportunity to serve Him vocationally.
Do not allow the hardships of your calling to fuel discontentment. We get to do this thing called ministry. You get to labor for the Lord. Be happy. This life is short. Eternity awaits us. You have something that so many others only dream of having. Rejoice. Again, I will say rejoice.