Near the end of May while simply pulling rhubarb in my back yard – as I had many times before – I strained my back. I went to get medical attention for it but between the passing of my mother-in-law, a visit from our youngest daughter and her family from England, and a full season of wonderful family activities, the pace did not allow for much healing.
As a young, newly commissioned pastor who was scheduled to preach 40 weeks a year, while raising a young family and simultaneously plugging away on my master’s degree at seminary, the practice of Sabbath rest sounded like a pipe dream. The incorporation of Sabbath seemed unattainable, something reserved for future me. Perhaps after my schooling was complete and my kids could finally sleep through the night, then and only then Sabbath might finally be attainable.
It’s a normal day in your home. Juggling schedules, packing lunches, overseeing homework and chores, preparing messages, visitations, picking Billy up from school to get him to practice on time, stopping to eat something, carving out time to reflect, pray, exhale. Adjusting from married with no children to married with two, three, four. What had you envisioned parenting to look like? Has there been anything that has surprised you? In fact, what hasn’t surprised you!
One of the richest experiences I have had over the past year has been watching a new video series that Focus on the Family produced with Ray Vander Laan. I have had the privilege of watching these both at work in staff devotions as well as at home with our small group. Entitled RVL Discipleship: The Study, it is some of the most inspiring and challenging teaching I have encountered in a long time. I cannot recommend it highly enough!
On a recent commute to work, I had the sudden awareness of being thirsty. Thankfully, my trusty water bottle was right there in the cup holder and this need was quickly met. Thirst is your body’s way of warning you it needs water. Similarly, when your car needs gas and oil, the gauges will tell you the levels are getting low, and if you leave them unattended for too long, the dashboard lights will come on. When experiencing these sensations or seeing the warning lights, people who prioritize their health or the smooth operation of their vehicle are usually quick to act and attend to those needs. But can you say the same for your body, heart, mind, and spirit?
There was a time that I would have been satisfied with being happy, but that was before I started to learn about joy, that fruit which the Spirit of God produces in us as we walk with him and learn to trust him.
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honour.” (Romans 12:9-10)
Have you ever had a moment when a simple passage of Scripture catches you up short, convicts and compels you to action? This passage has significantly done so for me. I am transported in my thoughts to a moment when I was taught a profound lesson in love and honour by a homeless man.
“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts.’” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Christmas is coming! But what about the rest of the year?
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:17)
Forty years ago, I was at the starting line of pastoral ministry. During that season, I attended one of my first pastors’ conferences and I was eager to learn and grow. One of the speakers, who had been in ministry for 40 years, was asked about the key to his longevity. He simply said, “Keep showing up” – and that phrase has stuck with me ever since. At that time, the finish line was the furthest thing from my mind and his advice sounded so simple! I have since learned that there is nothing simple about it. Pastoral ministry is hard work because it is heart work.