I've just begun reading the Letters of Samuel Rutherford.  I've heard or read a number of pastors commending these letters, so I thought I'd add it to my devotional reading.  I've not actually reached the letters yet.  I've been slowly reading through the biographical sketch of Rutherford written by Andrew Bonar.

At one point, Bonar describes Rutherford's call to a small country parish called Anwoth. 

The parish of Anwoth had no large village near the church.  The people were scattered over a hilly district, and were quite a rural flock.  But their shepherd knew that the Chief Shepherd counted them worth caring for; he was not one who thought that his learning and talents would be ill spent if laid out in seeking to save souls, obscure and unknown.  See him setting out to visit!  He has just laid aside one of his learned folios, to go forth among his flock.  See him passing along yonder field, and climbing that hill on his way to some cottage, his "quick eyes" occasionally glancing on the objects around, but his "face upward" for the most part, as if he were gazing into heaven.  He has time to visit, for he rises at three in the morning, and at that early hour meets his God in prayer and meditation, and has space for study besides.  He takes occasional days for catechising.  He never fails to be found at the sick-beds of his people.  Men said of him, "He is always praying, always preaching, always visiting the sick, always catechising, always writing and studying."  He was known to fall asleep at night talking of Christ, and even to speak of Him during his sleep.

Several things struck me.  Obviously Rutherford's faithfulness was striking, even if the repetition of "always" this or "always" that was a bit daunting and depressing.  I was also reminded of how many technological advantages in pastoral ministry we have compared to Rutherford's day. 

But what I most appreciated was this line: "But their shepherd knew that the Chief Shepherd counted them worth caring for; he was not one who thought that his learning and talents would be ill spent if laid out in seeking to save souls, obscure and unknown."

I wonder if one of the main challenges facing churches might not be that too many potential shepherds think their education, gifts, and abilities would be wasted in humble, anonymous service?  If there are not too many of us who remember too infrequently that the Chief Shepherd knows His blood-bought sheep in country villages are worth caring for?  I wonder how many men "settle" for this or that little congregation as a "stepping stone" to a bigger, "better" ministry?  How many fear that anonymity is synonymous with unfruitfulness and a certain kind of death? 

And, yet, Rutherford speaks to us hundreds of years later and his faithfulness shames the most gifted and talented among us (well, let me not project onto others; it certainly shames me).  Bonar adds this line a couple paragraphs later:

Anwoth was dear to him rather as the sphere appointed him by his Master, than because of the fruit he saw of his labours.

Because Christ place him there--not because he saw "great fruit"--Rutherford rooted his heart in that place and that people.  May we all be satisfied to serve, and find satisfaction in serving, wherever the Master places us.  And may we never regard our congregations--however small--as unworthy of our gifts or our care.