"If my life is broken when given to Jesus, it is because pieces will feed a multitude, while a loaf will satisfy only a little lad."
Read this in the Navigators Newsletter.
Written by Chuck Swindoll (pastor and best-selling author)
One of the joyful privileges of my early ministry was to know a man named Jim Peterson. Through his capable leadership and sterling character, the ministry of the Navigators expanded greatly in San Paulo, Brazil. I first met Jim at the Navs' headquarters in CO Springs. I was new to ministry at the time-- and far too naive-- so I was looking for a formula for success in God's service. "How do you do it, Jim" I asked. "Tell me the secret of ministering to people." I expected him to say, "Always set the pace" or "Be strong no matter what" or "Model the truth and stand against the gale that attacks you."
Jim just smiled in his inimitable way and answered, "Chuck, let people see the cracks in your life, and you'll be able to minister to them." That's it. That's the distilled essence of all he told me
As I left him that day, I felt like the deflated rich young ruler who had just asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life. Like Jesus' surprising answer to the ruler, Jim's reply was not what I expected. It convicted me. Jim challenged me to serve in weakness. He made that statement 50 years ago, and it remains one of the greatest lessons I have learned in ministry. I have never forgotten it. I never will.
