"No Pain? No Gain!"

Matthew 16:21-26
   
Zig Ziglar said: “There is no elevator to the top. You’re going to have to take the stairs.” In sales, I learned: “If I sit at my desk, there are few problems but there are also few sales, few commissions, little income and eventually? no job! Or as my dear old grandpa used to say: No pain? no gain!

As a pastor, I received ten days of training before moving to my first church. At first, I prayed that I would not be asked to lead a funeral. I experienced only a few deaths in my family, so I had no idea what to do, what to say, how to offer comfort, I wasn’t even sure what a funeral service looked like.

But on my first day, a prominent church member died. I led the funeral service on Saturday before my first Sunday. The church was filled with mourners to hear me talk about someone I never met but they dearly loved.

Three days later, another died in an automobile accident and four days after that someone died of a heart attack. Before my first month, I led five funerals and before the end of my first year, I buried eleven people. I never worried about leading funerals again. You would think eleven people dying in a small church dramatically reduced attendance. But attendance actually increased. Why? Family members and friends rediscovered their faith and came back.

Over the years, I learned how obstacles, crisis, and tragedy despite their painful circumstances play a critical role in renewing our faith. My tragic divorce led to starting a divorce recovery ministry. A young man facing terminal illness led his entire family back to God. Families needing Christmas aid led to churches combining resources to help many more.

Jesus didn’t say, “Take up your cross and follow me” as a slogan to memorize or because he wanted you to experience pain. “Take up your cross and follow me” is a call to true discipleship. Jesus says, “What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?” (Mat. 16:24,26)

Lee Jampolsky wrote: “Ask yourself what is really important and then have the wisdom and courage to build your life around the answer.” Ministry presents a choice: settle for less or take a risk, trust God, pick up a cross and follow. I still like what grandpa said: “No pain? No gain!”

Prayer Challenge: How have obstacles, crisis and tragedy shaped your faith?