"Do you engage in hazardous work?"
Red Cross Nurse
A Long Obedience In The Same Direction
Eugene Peterson, author of The Message, after being asked several other qualifying questions for giving blood, was asked if he engaged in hazardous work.
"I said, 'Yes."
The nurse looked at his clerical collar and smiled,
BUT . . .
My thoughts are that we don't appreciate how true his answer is. We see pastors behind the pulpit; perhaps occasionally in other situations. But, Eugene Peterson's words highlight some of what we miss.
Read on . . .
"I am put on the spot of being God's defender. I am expected to explain God to his disappointed clients. I am thrust into the role of a clerk in the complaints department of humanity, asked to trace down bad service, listen sympathetically to aggrieved patrons, try to put right any mistakes I can and apologize for the rudeness of the management."
I suspect I've put a pastor or two in that positon. How about you?
I'm, honestly, so grateful for our pastors--and for their wives and families. They give much and sacrifice much. They give their time and their hearts to us, and in their faithfulness to God. Their ministry, no doubt, holds great joys, great answers to prayer, and a crowd of changed lives. I wonder though--runners talk about hitting the wall: enjoying the run, giving it all they have, looking forward to sweet victory-------but hitting that wall of unbelievable pain that they have to push through. Do pastors experience that too?
It's not October, but do me a favor: Appreciate your pastor (s) and church leadership TODAY. As God leads, express it.
As always, I find myself . . .
Utterly Dependent on Him Who Is Utterly Dependable,
Lonnie
