(from “Problems of the Christian Life” series, Baptist Standard, November 13, 1968)
Some ministers have itching hands. Their hands reach out for more and more material things: a bigger salary, more liberal fringe benefits, and a nicer home. They may stretch out their hands for special ministerial discounts. We should be grateful that this practice is not as prevalent as formerly.
The ears represent another part of the minister’s anatomy that sometimes itches. Some have “a constant irritating desire or longing” to hear gossip about fellow pastors, church members, or criticism of the denomination.
Some have an inordinate desire for compliments. All need the encouragement that comes from a sincere word of appreciation, but let us beware of an ear itching for words that will simply increase our ego.
It seems that many ministers are afflicted with itching feet. They have a “constant irritating desire or longing” to move to another church or to a different field of service.
A few ministers have “an irritating desire or longing” to climb up the ladder, to advance to a larger church or place of “greater prestige.” Some of these itch to go to state headquarters or to “the holy city” of Atlanta, Birmingham, Nashville, or Richmond.
Then there are those who have itching feet to run to every meeting or conference, whether in the association, state convention, or Southern Baptist Convention.
How glorious it would be if all of us, ministers and members, had a constant desire or longing to use our feet to walk where the resurrected Christ would have us to go, to walk with Him where there is human need, to walk into the lives and homes of suffering, sorrowing, sinning men and women.
How wonderful it would be if our hands were made available to encourage the discouraged, to hand someone a cup of cold water in His name.
How blessed if our ears were sensitive to the cry of human need and to the still, small voice of God as He speaks to us.
In addition, how glorious it would be if we had itching minds: minds that are on a constant prowl for truth, longing for a better understanding of the breadth and depth of the truth of God.
Furthermore, how wonderful if our hearts constantly desired or longed for a deeper awareness of the presence of the Lord and for an abiding fellowship and a closer walk with Him.