February 27, 2024

I read a statistic some time ago that said that most pastors leave their church because of about 5 unhappy or disgruntled people. Maybe for some it’s because one or two of these may be people of influence, and the pastor is afraid they are going to rally others. Maybe one or two of these are pretty constant and relentless in their criticism or complaints. Or maybe a couple of them tend to be harsh in the way they make their unhappiness known. Whatever the reason, the pastor can’t seem to see past the few difficult people and see the crowd of others who are also a part of the church. And therein lies the problem.
Notice in our passage today the difference between what the workers focused on and what the farmer focused on. The workers were fixated on the weeds. The farmer focused on the wheat. Jesus is telling a bit of His own story here in this parable. He had a LOT of “weeds” in His ministry. He had religious leaders who were jealous of His popularity. He had Pharisees who disagreed with His theology. He had “fans” who only hung around for the “miracle show” or for the food they might get. Jesus was criticized for His methods, ridiculed for those He hung out with, and accused of having a demon. Yet Jesus didn’t get lost in the “weeds.” He kept His eye upon the harvest.
This is my word of encouragement to you today. Don’t allow the hurt you feel by people who criticize you or say nasty things to you to take your eye off of what God wants to do through you. Stuart Briscoe said, “The qualifications for a pastor are to have the mind of a scholar, the heart of a child, and the hide of a rhinoceros.” What’s true for pastors is true for ALL OF YOU who are out there doing God’s work! Hear my heart. Listen to your critics because some of what they say may be true and can help you be better at what you’re doing. Pray about the “advice” you’re given by others, even if they say it harshly, because it could have some nuggets of truth that you might need. But don’t take your eye off the harvest. Don’t forget why you’re doing what you do. Spot the good that God is up to all around you and keep your focus on that. And don’t let 5 negative people run you off when there is a whole bunch who love you and are depending on you. Focus on the harvest. Don’t get lost in the weeds. That’s God’s Word for you today.