“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.”       – 1 Corinthians 3:6-8

I had coffee recently with three Christian friends to discuss a new prison ministry involving one-on-one mentoring sessions with inmates. Given my experience working with prisoners, I was asked for my insights, specifically regarding a prisoner’s reentry and reintegration back into society.

One of my comments related to being realistic about the chances for long-term success, especially as it relates to a former prisoner finding God/faith. There are success stories but they are few and far between. More often, I have seen former prisoners return to those bad habits, choices, and friends that landed them in prison in the first place. My point was that having a realistic perspective on the likelihood of success might keep a prison ministry worker from giving up over the perceived futility of the endeavor.

 One of my friends, a longtime marriage and family counselor, said he wasn’t concerned about that. He said something along the lines of, “I learned a long time ago to surrender the outcome. I’m not responsible for it. I give every couple that I counsel the same basic spiel. If they accept my advice, great. If not, that’s on them. It’s not that I don’t care, but I don’t focus on the outcome—I surrender it. My job—my part in the process—is to offer sound, Christian counseling. From there, it’s up to the individual or couple or family to accept or reject my advice.”

Surrendering the outcome. Hmmm. I drove home that day reflecting on my friend’s words which hit me hard. Too often in ministry, I have felt the need, at least subconsciously, to control results… as if that’s even possible. Rather than trust God who “gives the growth,” I’ve often tried to force or massage specific outcomes. When the outcome didn’t materialize the way I had hoped, I felt like a failure. I’ve heard people say…

“We taught several Bible classes and had several late-night devotionals at Bible camp and yet no one was baptized.”

“We invited over 400 prisoners this year to come worship with us when they got out and only one showed up.”

“I studied the Bible extensively with a former prisoner. He was receptive at first and even got baptized. But after several months, he gave up on his faith and fell back into his old ways. It seems the cost of following Christ was too high for him.”

“We raised our daughter to know, love, and obey God, went to church every Sunday, had her involved in the youth group, and yet she fell away as an adult.”

Sound familiar?

I’ve too often focused on outcomes–the results of others’ choices—rather than on my own effort, attitude, and actions—things within my control. That has led to frustration and a sense of failure. I believe that approach has also caused many preachers and ministry leaders to quit and pivot toward ventures with higher probabilities of success.

How can we surrender the outcome?

1. Trust God’s timing and direction rather than your own. We can’t possibly know how God might be working in the heart of a person or “behind the scenes” in a congregation.  
2. Focus on the process, rather than a specific result. Concentrate on your character, effort, and values. Like Paul and Apollos, diligently plant and water, knowing that you, like they, will be rewarded according to your labor.
3. Let go of control. By releasing your anxiety about how, when, or who accomplishes a goal, you’ll find greater peace and joy.
4. Handle disappointment by remaining faithful and having a positive attitude. Accept that your identity and value are rooted in Christ—your worth is not defined by your achievements. When circumstances or outcomes don’t go as planned, remember that God is still in control. He’s got this!
5. Pray for the desired outcome, even while recognizing that you are not responsible for it. Leave open the possibility that the outcome may not be you “fixing” a prisoner, but God using a prisoner to fix you! If and when a good outcome materializes, praise God who brought forth the increase.

Surrendering the outcome allows for spontaneity and unexpected positive results. It enables you to leave space for others’ strengths and for God’s guidance and direction. A God who can do “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20) may have something far grander in mind than the specific outcome you’ve been worrying about.

My time sipping coffee and talking ministry and outcomes with friends reminded me of a scene from my childhood. When I was 11 or 12 years old and a brand new Christian, I was frustrated that my meager efforts to share my faith weren’t having much of an impact. My friends generally weren’t interested in what I had to say or in going to church with me. My older sister Stacy, a teen at the time, sensed my frustration and pulled me aside.

“Steven, don’t be so hard on yourself. Not even Jesus reached everyone, and He was Jesus.”

Friends, let’s not be so hard on ourselves.

If you’re called to preach, do so boldly. If you’re called to teach a Bible class, come prepared. If you’re called to minister to children, prisoners, orphans and widows, college students, or those with special needs, do so passionately. If your gift is encouraging or visiting the sick, lean into that.

Sow, plant, and water liberally.

Let your light shine.

Do your part, for sure.

But as for results, trust the providence and timing of the One who gives the growth.

Surrender the outcome to God.