Doing Concealed Work

I worked in mechanical insulation for over a decade and have experience in commercial, marine, and industrial applications.  My career was spread across three San Diego companies, and I enjoyed working with many fine men and women of various backgrounds and skill-sets.  As I continued to mature and develop as a skilled tradesman and began running work as a foreman, there were basic qualities I looked for in my crew.  It was pretty simple:  I wanted people to show up on time ready to work, be teachable, work diligently, and finish each task before moving on to the next one.  One of my "pet peeves" was when people started a job - choosing the exposed, easy parts of the task - and leave the difficult or concealed parts unfinished for others to do.  It was never fun discovering I was given a job to complete where someone only partially completed the chilled water or steam.  The pipes were live and far more difficult (and hot and painful if steam!) than if it had been done completely the first time.  Some journeymen relished the job-starting role, and some were the finishers.  For whatever reason, I finished way more jobs than I started!

Every job I have done has parts which are harder than others.  In my trade, there was a phrase to describe people who jumped on the easiest work first:  "gravy grabbers."  Thinking about their own comfort and ease, they quickly took for themselves the easiest jobs and left the hot, tricky, or undesirable spots for others.  I believe serving God is hard work we must work hard at, and a kind of "gravy grabbing" mentality can exist even within the church.  There is certain aspects of ministry or authority which seem to have an appeal - like being a pastor.  Many people all over the world aspire to pulpit ministry, not realising there is a huge difference between preaching and pastoring.  A preacher preaches, but a pastor preaches and also ministers to people as a shepherd does the flock.  A pastor must be hands-on, and much of the role requires dealing with hungry, wayward, sickly, parasite stricken or obstinate sheep - and he has his own faults to reckon with as well!

Being a shepherd is hard work, and to those who are called is a great joy.  It is a great shame when a pastor decides to move on to another flock because people do not seem to be flourishing under his care as he hoped.  People love to see progress.  It makes them feel good about themselves and validates the amount of labour they are doing.  Just like an insulator who loves those long, clear runs of pipe-covering from the convenience of a scissor lift, Christian workers love to see more people coming to the church, more people committing their lives to Christ, physical healings, and expansion of ministry.  Yet when people don't see much "fruit" from their efforts, they grow discourage, even disillusioned.  They decide it's time to "go in a new direction" or "take a new step of faith."  Whilst God may direct you to work in a field for a short or long season, sometimes I believe there is another way to put it when you leave for the wrong reasons:  you are a quitter.  You aren't interested in moving rocks so the ground can be tilled, planted, and harvested years from now.  Some people have itching ears, and others have longing eyes.  They want to see immediate results.  People don't seem to be willing to invest their entire life in working the soil in tough conditions so the next generation will be fruitful.  It may take decades to simply lay a foundation.  Are there any willing to do this?  Or are we a bunch of gravy-grabbers who give up when things are hard?  It was a shame in Jesus' day when a man began planting a vineyard and building a wall only to leave it derelict.  The same tragedy happens in churches all the time.

This morning I read Psalm 66:8-12:  "Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard, ⁹ Who keeps our soul among the living, and does not allow our feet to be moved. ¹⁰ For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. ¹¹ You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs. ¹² You have caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment."  Our circumstances are often the crucible God uses both to test and refine us.  Look at what God chooses to do to His people:  he brings them into the net, lays affliction of their backs, causes them to be trampled, puts them through fire and water.  Yet the consolation God brings is greater than any trial or suffering we endure for Christ's sake.  Our human tendency is to try to jump out of the crucible when the fire is put to it.  We won't even go in water because it is too cold, but God throws us in the deep end.

Think about this:  God causes men to ride over our heads!  I have never been trampled by a horse, but it is not at all pleasant.  It is an experience one could describe as shocking, sudden, painful, and something which leaves lasting scars, memories, and injuries.  It is something no sensible person would ever want to happen to them, much less repeat.  God causes men to ride over our heads because it provides Him an opportunity to lift us up, restore and heal us, and make us whole - more whole than we were before!  Sometimes injury, tragedy, even deformity or mutilation is the strange ingredient God uses to complete a person so they might be usable.  We are always looking for an easier test.  We don't want to do the concealed work, but it must be done first.  Jumping from the crucible when the heat is applied means we have failed the test and failed to be completely refined as God desires.

There is a great blessing to those who endure:  Psalm 66:12:  "Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place."  No matter the difficulty or suffering we face in ministry or in this life, God will ultimately bring us through into a wealthy place and rewards.  Those who endure will be richer for it.  There is no place more fulfilling than remaining in the place God and role where He has called you.  Some people think they will be fulfilled when they have a spouse, more money, or a different career.  Some Christians think they will be fulfilled or more satisfied at a different church or to even be the pastor of a church.  But true fulfillment and wealth is not found in any of these things:  it is found only in Jesus Christ and obedience to Him.  Bless our God, you people!  He puts us through fire and water - even causes men to ride over our heads - but brings us forth as refined gold.  How great is the consolation, joy, and peace found in our God  Let's not just start the job, but remain diligent to finish!