A Day in the Life of a Pastor - My Tipping Point
I will start with an honest confession..."I know when I am near my tipping point."Let me clarify. I am not on the verge of burn out. I am not walking around saying negative things about others. I am not looking for a remote place to escape society and live as a hermit. (But a week on an island in the Carribbean...hmm.)It isn't that I hear negative stories and life's challenges every day. Each person who comes in my door isn't bringing a crisis with him. Every call is not a rush to the hospital or condoling a grieving person through the loss of a loved one. Every email isn't about a financial need or a mistake made that needs to be addressed.So what tires me out...life. More specifically, how I and others intersect with daily life.And here's the kicker...it also is the thing that rejuvenates me.In one day, I played a bad round of golf. Mowed the yard only to have the mower freeze up and had to buy a new one. Realized I had three broken sprinkler heads that needed to be replaced. Didn't eat until 4pm that day. Said good bye to a good friend and pastor whose insights I will miss. Found out another friend had cancer. (When you hear that, it sure makes everything else you were grumbling about seem pretty small.)But also on that day, I had a great time with my friends while playing golf. I was glad to get the yard done and get a mower that is self propelled. (mine stopped years ago.) I can use my reclaimed water again. I love being outside and it was a productive day. I was able to just hang out with some of our staff at the pastor's going away party - no business talk. Got to eat with Kristin at our favorite burger place. I finished the day with prayer for my friend. My hope in all situations is that God is able to do something BIG.Everyday brings a new set of wins and challenges. People bring them or I bring them on myself. Most days are not going to set me back. But do I get tired - yes. But do I also see the good in those situations - yes. When the weariness accumulates and that "see the good" outlook is challenged, I get away for a few days and recalibrate. After twenty six years of ministry, it still works.Two challenges for you:
- Recognize the challenge and good in each situation.
- Recognize your way to recalibrate when it begins to tilt towards weariness.
Go get 'em!