Expecting Less

The disappointment and exhaustion of ecclesiastical exertions—of endless meetings and gatherings and committees and programs—can dull our appetite for God. Quietly, imperceptibly, we begin to expect less of him, and end up being satisfied with that. Perhaps at the beginning of our ministry we wondered, Why was it that wherever Paul went people rioted, but wherever we go they serve tea? But over time, we sigh with the chap who wrote, “My cry used to be, ’Win the world for Christ. ‘Now it’s Try not to lose too many.’ ” The church can be so very, very dull and dulling. And those who serve it can become the same.