Dear Small Church Pastor,
I need to call and check on that new couple who visited last weekend. There’s a board meeting tonight at 7pm. Someone from the thrift store called and wanted to know if we can do the bicycles for kids again. The HVAC company is coming at 9:30 this morning. Family will be visiting sometime tomorrow. And tomorrow night is Bible Study and I haven’t finished the lesson. The elders need guidance on making out the framework for the new by-laws. The kids have practices every day during the school break. Someone posted a vicious remark about our youth program last night.
AAAHHHHGGGG!!!!!!
Ever want to just scream about how complicated, demanding and simply exhausting life as a pastor can be? Well, you’re in good company. We’ve all had that over-worked, over-extended, over-scheduled, over-everything feeling. A pastor’s life is much more than preaching, teaching and visiting the sick. And sometimes that “much more stuff” falls right in your lap.
What do you do when that happens? I encourage you to remember your source.
Your source is not people, although God does use people to help with all the multi-tasking. Your source is not denominational groups, although they can provide training and encouragement. Your source is not your education, private study or your degrees hanging on the wall.
Your source is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. This is your source. This is your source for your calling and anointing. This is your source for needed wisdom. This is your source for inspiration. This is your source for provision and protection and promises. God is your source.
Satan tries to get you to think you’re in this on your own and that you will fail. He will try to get you to think you don’t know enough or don’t have enough or can’t do enough to get your job done effectively. And he is correct. You don’t know enough by yourself. You don’t have enough by yourself. You can’t do enough by yourself.
But Satan does not have the last say in what your life will accomplish, nor does he have the last say in who you are. He definitely does not have the last word in declaring who your source is. Only God can have that last word. And God says He is your source.
Remember that God created you and called you and anointed you while you were still in your mother’s womb. Remember that Jesus left the glories of heaven to come to this earth and sacrifice His life so you can be forgiven. Remember that the Holy Spirit dwells in you and is your Comforter and Guide. Remember that you have been empowered to spread the good news about Jesus. Remember that Jesus has already defeated the forces of evil. Remember that your King is coming again to receive you to Himself so that where He is, you may be also. Remember that!
Do you need wisdom? Ask your source for it. Do you need calmness in your spirit? Ask your source for it. Do you need help in a relationship? Ask your source for the help. Do you need healing in your body, mind, emotions or spirit? Ask your source for His healing touch. Do you need a new zeal for God? Ask your source to renew you.
Close your eyes, count to ten and remember your source.
Take a deep breath and remember your source!
REMEMBER YOUR SOURCE! (I’m aware this is shouting, but maybe I need to shout to get your attention today.)
Sincerely,
A Small Church Pastor