After several years of drought, we had a very wet spring and early summer.  That made the grass grow like crazy.  Up until the middle of July, it had to be mowed about every five days.  But I have enjoyed doing it.  For one thing, I needed the exercise.  My chest has slipped down around my waist, so I welcomed the opportunity to do some hard physical work, in hopes of raising it back up.  (It hasn’t happened so far.) 

    But there is another reason I have enjoyed mowing the grass:  instant results.   I like to tackle an area that really needs mowing.  I revel in being able to divide it up into neat geometrical shapes so I can methodically level each area.  The satisfaction of being able to see the results of my labors even while I am engaged in the work keeps me at the job.

    The years I have spent as a minister of the gospel have been good years.  But one area of frustration for me has been the lack of immediate visible results in the lives of the people I have served.  A preacher deals with intangible things which do not lend themselves to the measurements of everyday life.

    We preachers try our hardest to measure things.  Noses and Nickels.  But that doesn’t really tell us what is happening in the lives of people.  Even when they come, and give, and serve, and do all the things we ask or expect, we can’t always tell if it is real.

    But the Word of God is alive.  It does do its appointed work.  And the Holy Spirit silently transforms people day by day.  We just can’t always see the results immediately.  We keep laboring by faith, believing the Lord will do what He said He would.

    One of the blessings of having served as a preacher for fifty years is that there are those who were touched by my ministry many years ago who are still active and growing and effective in His service.  That always encourages me.  And it helps me to keep on until the day when it is all over, and I can look back to see what the Lord has done.

    That will be more satisfying than all the grass I have ever cut.