What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. (1 Corinthians 3:5-9)
Last week it felt like I stepped back in time. My family headed back to the small town of Benson, Illinois to visit the congregation that I first served as pastor, St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church as they celebrated 100 years of ministry on July 31st. For six and a half years after graduating from seminary (1997-2003) I had the privilege of living among the faithful people at St. Paul. We had good years together! I got to be a part of a growing, rural congregation. New people came to hear God’s word. The congregation tried several creative ways of reaching out to the community. I celebrated as they celebrated and I grieved as they grieved. It was exciting to go back and reconnect with many people I haven’t thought of in years.
I wasn’t the only former pastor to return for the festivities. It was fun to hear others tell stories of their time in Benson. God worked through a number of pastors before I arrived … and several after I left. While I had a great six and a half year ministry at St. Paul, they never tried to rename the church ‘St. Peter.’ The ministry was never about me. My job was to point to Jesus. Rev. Gess tilled. Pastor Phil planted. Pastor Earl watered. I simply tended to God’s garden for a while before handing it over to Pastor Ann. While God worked through me while I was there, God worked through many leaders in that congregation over 100 years.
Pastors are definitely NOT the only ones working in God’s field! In our everyday lives, we all point to Jesus. Some plan the seed of faith through showing compassion. Others water the seed of faith by being a listening ear. Others tend to the soil by telling stories of faith. Still others nurture the faith by serving people in need. We work as part of God’s family. We never do it alone.
People with a healthy ego (like me!) need to be reminded that it’s not all about us. People don’t come to faith because of our wonderful ministry…people come to faith because God uses a wide array of people to tend to those fragile seeds of faith. We may plant…or water…or till…but God gives the growth. God gets the glory.
People with less ‘confidence’ in their faithful witness need to be reminded that it’s not all about you! God doesn’t call you to make someone believe in Jesus. God simply calls you to small tasks which can help others grow in faith. You may plant…or water…or till…but God gives the growth.
God has used many people to tend to my life of faith. How can God use us to do the same for others?
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