Ministry

Anger in particular seems close to a professional vice in the contemporary ministry. Pastors are angry at their leaders for not leading and at their followers for not following. They are angry at those who do not come to church for not coming and angry at those who do come for coming without enthusiasm. They are angry at their families, who make them feel guilty, and angry at themselves for not being who they want to be. This is not an open, blatant, roaring anger, but an anger hidden behind the smooth word, the smiling face, and the polite handshake. It is a frozen anger, an anger which settles into a biting resentment and slowly paralyzes a generous heart. If there is anything that makes the ministry look grim and dull, it is this dark, insidious anger in the servants of Christ. -- Henri Nouwen

Christlikeness seems to be a lot more palatable when we think about His radiant glory & riches, His return in splendor on the white horse of triumph, and His seat at the right hand of The Father. Yeah baby, gimmee some of THAT Christlikeness. But not yet. No, for now, we get to experience what Christ experienced during his earthly ministry. And it was His ministry that got Him killed. Before His death, of course, he had his beard ripped out, was beaten, spat upon, and mocked. Hey look, there's no line for this wild ride!

And yet I am persistently surprised at my own reticence to experience that level of suffering at the hands of those whom I love & serve.  But it's what Christ did.  And, whether I like it or not, Luke 9:23 is a pretty clear marching order:  Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."  

May the dark insidious anger be shot through with light & love.  In all of us.