12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12-13)
Sometimes I go through a tough season in life. It could be emotional, mental, physical or spiritual in nature. I've been through seasons of droughts that lasted years and I've experienced mere blips of hurt in otherwise serene seasons. This scripture reminds me that no matter what is happening in my life I've got to give thanks to Jesus Christ, my King.
Facing a tough spot right now and I am pleasantly surprised to find that I haven't completely shut down! I've kept my focus on Him and I'm finding that I know in whom I have believed. I've been in my Word a lot more lately. Going through good, solid Christian video material instead of regular t.v. Doing my quiet time every single day for the past 2 weeks. Seems to me that focusing on Christ instead of my problems really works for the soul.
Even though I may be in "want" I am not forgotten. The Father's love letter to me says this:
24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. (Luke 12:24-30)
In the eight years that I have served beside my husband in the ministry I have always noticed one insinuation about preachers that always made me cringe and feel belittled. The thought that somehow your pastor is an employee of the church. The belief that he is an hourly employee of a church body is so prevalent in the church. I can remember each time vividly when someone made a snide comment about "I guess we pay the preacher too much money." It's usually uttered when the pastor or family have something new in their possession. It could be something as simple as a new skirt or as big as a new vehicle. From my view point it seems that people are confusing small church pastors with mega pastors and pastors seen on tv who are worth millions.
Let me assure you that being worth millions is not a "thing" with pastors! Can I also be so bold to say that true men of God do not go into the ministry with money as the first thought. Yes, a man has to provide for his family but a man of God knows that provision comes from the Lord. Just because your church cuts a check each week for your pastor doesn't mean you have ownership of him and have the right to question his purchases or choices. (Please note that I am speaking about everyday, normal choices. Of course, if you notice your pastor with a new Mercedes all of the sudden you should inquire and check out the finances of the church!)
There is a constant influx of information about people in the congregation that the pastor hears on a weekly basis. The needs, the lack of funds, the loneliness, the hurting, the angry, the offended. There are calls about health issues, hospital visits, surgeries and general malaise. Calls about marital issues, fighting, wayward kids. Conversations about lack of personal vision, theological questions and everything in between.
I wonder - how often does anyone in the congregation stop to think about the pastor and his needs? Is there any real thought put into the needs of his family? Are they ok? Are they struggling at any point for any reason? Sometimes it feels like the pastor is simply there to notice the plight of others, give advice and move on to the next crisis. Ok, I know this seems like I'm whining a bit and maybe, truth be told, I am. I'm a pastor's wife! I've seen it all! The good, the bad and the really ugly. I've seen all that from the congregation and even from my husband at some point.
But at the end of a Friday night after a tough week all I can say to that is this: I'm still human and so is your pastor.
Our Community Life Group prayed over Teddy last Sunday night. It was so needed and I know that it affected him greatly. He was being poured into and didn't have to pour anything out. His life gauge moved closer to full! So I suppose this posting on my blog is really about feeling like people care, not just about shallow things in our lives but that they care about every part of our lives. Your pastor (not just my husband but all men of God who are pastoring churches) need more from you than an "amen" on Sundays and a pat on the way out the door. They deserve more than that from the people that they lead. They have chosen a life that is hard and completely worth it at the end of the day.
We all know that they deserve respect but they also deserve even the most basic level of human compassion and concern from you. They are not super human and sometimes their lives are hard.
Just my thoughts.
Mls
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