Love and Interest Manna for the heart

My fellow brother, it’s very sad when the lamp of our ministry grows faint. When the Word of God is no longer heard, nor is there a manifestation of the Spirit, and our vision begins to cloud, because what we once saw with the eyes of the Spirit, we no longer see the same. How many ministries and movements of God began with their lamps well lit, and today, find themselves to be only smokeless candlesticks. When it get’s to the point, where the ministry begins to age, in the same manner Eli grew older, and everything became a routine and boring for them, it will become for us. A person ordained to the sacerdotal or pastoral office, has to put love and interest in what they do, and see the glory of it, otherwise, it can become a burden. If we do not love the service of God, we too can succumb despair, like those who sleep and wake up tired, or who do not want to get up; because everything about their ministry is burdensome to them, and they can no longer bear its responsibility. Let's form a mental image of what pastoral work entails. What it involves to preach in the morning, and again in the evening service. Finding yourself going from here to there. Dealing with people who are always dissatisfied, or, who resist following instructions and rebel against the authority placed by God. If there is no love in what we are called to do, we’ll reach a point where the ministry becomes a routine; dull; uninteresting. When we find ourselves burnt out or tired, we have no spiritual clearness, and will lack the quality of spirit, to pour oil over our lamps” (translated with permission by mannafortheheart, Juan Radhamés Fernández, “La Honra del Ministerio”, pp 389-390)