I work part time at a Christian camp. Since the end of the summer season, I’ve been thinking and processing a lot. It was amazing to watch God work in hearts and lives this summer. But I was reminded of something I've observed many times over the years (even in myself)—we tend to expect church or parachurch or Christian relationships to be easy. Perhaps even sin-free. Ministry is supposed to be a place of compassion, harmony, love, forbearance, and humility… right?
But instead the very places we expect to experience joy and unity instead bring frustration, conflict, and brokenness.
Why?
The first and most obvious reason is that we live in a broken world, so there will always be disappointments. But we also all carry our sinful hearts with us, and so the worst spills out at some point (Luke 6:45). You can’t hide what’s really going on in your heart—it will overflow eventually. Not only that, but our selfish desires rage war against each other, causing conflict (James 4:1-2). All these things take place everywhere—even ministry.
Does it mean it’s not worth it?
Absolutely not.
Those difficulties, pains, and losses can drive us to where lasting hope is found. They teach us to not put our hope in people. To not expect a perfect church. To not look to ministry service to fulfill us. To not find our identity in what we do or what others think of us. That deep heart work is where God is cultivating His Kingdom, one person at a time. It is redemption in action.
God is building His Kingdom through broken people, broken ministries, and broken churches. Perfection is not the goal. Unity is not even the ultimate goal. But staying centered on the finished work of Jesus until He returns, participating in the spread of the gospel and the building of His Church—that should be our aim.
