Many Preachers, Few Servants

 Readings 042026 

This weekend my wife and I were talking—
just the two of us—
about ministry…
about the way I pour myself out.

She told me she was proud of me.
But then she said something gentle,
something true:
“Sometimes you give too much of yourself,
and you don’t keep enough for yourself.”

And I felt that.
Because I see so much need.
So much sorrow.
So much pain.
Too few priests,
too few ministers,
too few hands to lift people toward Jesus.

Acts tells us Stephen was filled with grace and power—
one man
in a world of need—
and still he served.
He spoke with the Spirit.
His face shone like an angel
because he belonged to God.

And in the Gospel,
the crowd chases Jesus across the sea
looking for more bread.
But Jesus says,
“Don’t work for food that perishes.
Work for the food that endures.”

"This is the work of God, 

       that you believe in the one he sent."

There are many preachers,
but not enough servants.
Many voices,
but not enough hearts willing to break open.

So today I pray
to serve with wisdom,
to speak with the Spirit,
and to rest when God asks me to rest—
so the little I give
can become the food that endures.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, 

Teach me to serve with a steady heart.
Let my giving flow from Your strength, not mine.
Hold me when I grow tired from the needs around me.
Fill me with the Spirit.
Make me a servant.
Help me rest when You whisper “enough for today.”
And let all I offer become food that endures.

Amen