A principios de este año, un pastor instrumental mío, Rev. Dr. Mike Landrethfalleció repentinamente. Desde su muerte, he estado reflexionando sobre nuestras conversaciones, desde cuando yo era un joven adolescente hasta cuando habló en mi propio servicio de ordenación, más de una década después. He apreciado sus sabios consejos al recordarle a él y el tiempo que pasamos juntos.

A lo largo de mi década en el ministerio como pastor, a menudo me he preguntado qué constituye "suficiente". ¿Cómo sabe un pastor cuándo ha terminado su trabajo del día? ¿Hasta dónde deben llegar los pastores para ayudar a remediar el incesante quebrantamiento del mundo?

Especially these days, when it is clear just how much work remains to be done, I find myself asking how I can do the most good possible each day. I also wonder how I will sustain myself for the long game of love and justice in the days and years to come.

These questions illustrate the weight of ministry — a weight that comes with a never-ending to-do list of meaningful connections to make, service opportunities to promote, and moments to show up for my community in advocating for God’s love. If the work is never done, then what is enough?

These thoughts often bring me back to one of the nuggets of wisdom Mike shared with me at my ordination: No nail prints? Not the Savior!

He said: “Should you ever feel the absolute need to save someone or something, take a quick look at your hands and feet. No nail prints? Then you are not the Savior. But you do work for God. Do what you can. Leave the rest for God.”

On days when all that remains undone feels overwhelming, I remember his words from all those years ago. Reminding myself that I am not God incarnate—only a pastor—helps me close my eyes at night and quiet my mind enough to find rest. With God’s help, I know I’ll rise again tomorrow to continue the ministry God has for me.

But Mike’s words don’t let me — or any other pastor — off the hook. While he reminded us that we are not God, he also emphasized that we do work for God! I think (and hope) that all pastors are drawn to this line of work because of Jesus’ awe-inspiring and life-transforming ministry of love. That love is what motivates us to do the hard but beautiful work of ministry and sustains us in the long game of love and justice day after day.

As pastors, we are in privileged positions of power, and we simply must do the work Jesus modeled for us. We must do what we can.

It’s precisely because Mike’s words don’t let us off the hook that I know he felt the weight of this existential question — “What is enough?”— in his own ministry as well. It comforts me to know that I’m not alone in wrestling with these questions about my calling. It also comforts me to remember that this work is not mine alone. I am doing this work as a co-conspirator with the Triune God, following in the footsteps of those who have pastored before me and alongside those who pastor with me now. Doing what I can is enough because it isn’t my work alone that will save this world. Instead, this world is being saved through all our collective efforts — with God.

During my ordination service, Mike also told me this:
“You are entering the greatest profession on Earth — and I don’t say that because I was privileged to serve for 41 years. You get to be a pastor, a prophet, a preacher, and a professor every day of your life. It will never be boring. It may be the best and worst times — the happiest and saddest —the most challenging and mundane. Very few are privileged to have such a great life.”

So here’s my advice to you, my fellow pastor: The next time you wonder if your work is enough, remember Mike’s words and check your hands. No nail prints? Not the Savior. God’s got this — now let’s get to work.