My Dear Shepherds,

The first time I led a Communion service, while the trays were passed to the congregation, I tipped over my little cup, leaving a purple stain on the Irish linen tablecloth and the prospect of facing the deaconesses. We all remember our first shaky ministry steps—our first sermon, wedding, funeral, and baptism. But who else has done, seen, and heard what we have!

Many of us didn’t set out to be pastors but, in one way or another, the Lord reoriented each of our plans to his unique calling. Paul’s thanksgiving becomes ours:

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. (1 Tim. 1:12)

I’m not sure if anyone in your congregation will remember that this is Pastor Appreciation Month, but I’m suggesting we take matters into our own hands and call it Pastors Appreciating Month, using Paul’s praises as our prompts, in this case, “appointing me to his service.”

To begin, let us thank the Lord for the opportunities we’ve had to lead people to Jesus. My wife says I’ve had the gift of fruit picking, because I’ve often gotten to harvest after others have planted and watered the gospel seed in someone’s life.

Then there are the blessed lows of Christ’s service, the exalted ministries of foot washing, the inefficient imperatives of pastoring, and the paradoxical math of the kingdom where small is no limit on significance. I so wanted to preach to a thousand people, and it took the Lord a long time to prove to me the outsize influence of ministry to people I knew all by name.

Give thanks that in serving Jesus, you and I have gone through doors other people rarely see, like the way we can enter hospitals long after visiting hours. We entered the darkened rooms of people’s grief and sat with them in that formidable silence. We’ve heard people say, “I’ve never told anyone this before . . ..” We’ve watched as the Lord’s face suddenly dawned upon someone limping into the light. And we’ve stood at the threshold when saints crossed into glory.

Give thanks, too, that we have gotten to preach the Word! Jesus said we’d be “like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” I’ve preached about 2500 sermons, not to mention Bible studies, discipling, and counseling, so imagine how many treasures I’ve handled! Proverbs tells how much richer are those who gain wisdom than those who accumulate gold, so let’s have no more talk about poor preachers!

And think of all the saints we’ve known! Remember those who, like Aaron and Hur, have held up your hands when you were weak, and who, like Euodia and Syntyche, contended at your side for the cause of the gospel (even if they didn’t always get along!). Think of all the stories we’ve heard of salvation, perseverance, and divine handiwork. Give thanks for all those who prayed for us, listened to us, and loved us.

The other day I happened to meet up with two guys who had been in my church. As they reminisced, they realized that I baptized both of them on Easter Sunday, 2011. Micah, whom I’d also dedicated as a baby, was only eight then. Drew, a prodigal home from the far country, was 26. Now Micah is just starting seminary. Drew is deep into a PhD in ancient languages and is a worship leader. And there I stood, listening like a proud papa.

So we thank Christ Jesus our Lord for appointing us to his service!

Be ye glad!

Lee Eclov recently retired after 40 years of local pastoral ministry and now focuses on ministry among pastors. He writes a weekly devotional for preachers on Preaching Today.