It’s good for a Christian to be satisfied with the gift Almighty God has given. The alternative is ‘gift envy’ (similar to but worse than ‘food envy’ — ordering a meal and later wishing you had chosen the one that others had). John the Baptist had no ‘gift envy’. “John did no miracle, but everything he said about this man [Jesus] was true.” (John 10:41) A good testimony to a man who ate locust with honey dip, wore camel-hair clothes, did no miracle, and was happy to see his cousin succeed him.
What’s the true measure of a ministry? I think it’s recognising that while you are good at some things, others are better at things that are different. When Oral Roberts asked Billy Graham, “What will you do with the sick people that come to your crusades?” Billy answered, “I’ll send them to you, Oral.” True story.
I’m as impressed with a pastor’s patience as an evangelist’s statistics. It’s unfair to compare a resident agent of influence with a mobile agent of change. I don’t think John wished for a miracle ministry, but that he knew his call and was happy to fulfil it. Jesus said no greater prophet had risen than John. Any evangelist with “signs following” would have been impressed with the number of people who repented through John’s preaching — despite his lack of miracles. The Lord’s testimony to his forerunner’s truthful message is one that every genuine minister would be blessed to receive.