So you think you’ve been called to vocational ministry? We tend to romanticize that prospect. We find that someone has loved us in Christ, and we want to give that love back to others. That is a noble desire, and often it is God so leading us.

But never go into such things with eyes closed. I was struck in my devotions the other day with the counsel that Jesus gave to the 72 as he sent them out to do ministry in the world. What do you think of this counsel?

“Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.” (Luke 10:3)

How pleasant, it made me ask, is it for lambs to be among wolves?

Never romanticize ministry.


Update: I should say that this post appeared this morning as a mere accident of timing. It could wrongly be taken that this showing up on a Monday means Randy had a bad Sunday and needs a hug. Not so, although the hug is always welcome, I had a fine Lord’s day. This comment was just a reflection on the whole nature of any serious ministry engagement. It will have its joys, but it will have its pain as well.