Busy World

We live in a very busy world. As I step back and examine my life I see a whirlwind of activity. Between my job as a Sr. Mgr. in the world’s largest professional services firm and my job at the best church in all of Gainesville and the positions and boards I sit on for the Georgia district church of the Nazarene and my family of 4 active wonderful children, I sometime wonder how I can get anything accomplished.

It’s not uncommon when dealing with people in the church that they ask the question: “How do you do it pastor?” Often people actually purposely don’t tell me about their hospital surgeries or visits because they feel it puts too much pressure on me. I appreciate how people have genuine concern for me and don’t want to feel as though they are a burden but I say please don’t rob me of a blessing.

You see those visits actually bring me peace. Some might say “Pastor you mean sitting at a hospital for 8 hours while someone has bypass surgery brings you peace? “ Well the answer is yes and no. I certainly take no joy when people are hurting but there is a great sense of joy and peace when I’m doing what I think God wants me to do. Scripture tells us in Matthew 11:30 “For my Yoke is easy and my burden is light”. That means: The things God wants me to do (the services if you will) are easily rendered. They are not burdensome like some religious things. In doing what God wants me to do even in the midst of what appears to be a very hectic life…”there is a peace that passeth all understanding”.  You can really only understand this when you put it into practice. The burden is light in following God.

The truth is…it doesn’t make sense. The world says I don’t have time for that. Some might say “pastor that is foolish” but I Corinthians says “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” I think it’s best to error on the side of trying to fulfill God’s purpose in our lives rather than saying…”I can’t or I don’t have time”.

So what are you telling us pastor? Should we all visit the hospital more even if we don’t have time? That isn’t at all what I’m suggesting. I am saying…in this world of go, go, go we stop and fulfill God’s calling on our lives. I don’t mean become a pastor or evangelist. I mean be Christ wherever you are wherever you go. When you see a need…fill it. Where you see hunger try bringing food. Where you see brokenness, try to bring healing. When you can…do.  I know you don’t have time…none of us do. But when you “do” you’ll find God can multiply your time so you’ll never miss the time you spent serving and you’ll find the stress of life can be put on hiatus. Only God can do that through our obedience.