Even though we've been miles away from our home and the community of faith we love and serve, we haven't been far from their burdens, needs and joys. Actually, ministry is not our JOB...it's our LIFE'S WORK and we love every opportunity we have to represent Christ to others. We don't clock in and out with little thought of the work we do when we go home in the evening. When we are away on a trip we are praying, talking and thinking about what's next on God's divine timetable for our church and people. And, sometimes the change in venue is exactly what is needed to see a particular situation more clearly than when you are in the throes of the daily struggle. It's amazing how often a situation comes clear to me as I drive the miles to reach our vacation destination or quietly ponder it while resting away from home.
Every minister of the Gospel needs time away from the struggles and challenges of his work. If he doesn't take that time, he's cheating his people of the fullest ministry he can give them. I've even reached the point where I'm convinced that a sabbatical of three to four consecutive weeks every three to five years for a minister may be the greatest thing a local church could give their pastor. When you can unplug for an extended period of time from the constant grind of all that's required in serving people and the Lord effectively, it enables the minister to return with greater vision and vigor.
It's not just the physical constraints of doing God's work that drains you, it's the mental and spiritual depletion that usually results from long hours of dealing with difficult people, trying situations, endless administration, and struggling against Satan daily. And, most of those battles/burdens are NEVER seen by ANY of the people the pastor serves. I know some that think they understand what's required of God's servants in the church or they think it's similar to the way it is in their line of work, but until you've been called of God yourself you will never have any idea what a minister faces daily. Ministry has unique challenges that aren't found in most other job descriptions.
One of the increasingly difficult struggles today is the seemingly endless agendas/expectations people want their pastor to meet, which is too often the product of an increasingly narcissistic culture that has crept into our churches. In addition, the call of God is unrelenting and inescapable, as it should be. Pastoring is a calling, not a vocation you choose! And, just the reality of knowing that you ultimately are going to be evaluated by the Lord Himself is enough to make you tremble in your spiritual boots.
Thank God we've had some time to rest and recoup after the past twelve months of building and battling. Now, it's time to return to the front lines of the war being waged for the lives of sinners and saints. We're ready and willing to walk point again and we'll be there in a few hours to take up our post of duty. Onward Christian soldiers...
