Yesterday was the culmination of a really busy week. Lots of things got done, that I wondered if I could accomplish. I officiated a funeral for someone I had a huge amount of love and respect for. The words came somewhat difficultly, not because I had nothing to say, but because it was hard to pick the best things, to give him the service he deserved. It ended up going very well and for that I praise God.
Friday night, I spoke at a Jr. High Lock-in. The events of the week in the news, and especially the school shooting, made the words hard to come by once again. I wanted to give words of encouragement, but I also wanted to challenge the students that the way we treat others matters and can make a real difference in this world. I have always thought this was a huge part of my calling and am seeking more and more ways to deliver that message. The lock in also went really well, except for the fact that, at 54, staying awake all night is not as easy as it once was. I intended to go out to my van and sleep a few hours, but alarms on the doors of the facility made it difficult to get to my van and so I stayed up all night and tried to encourage the youth workers at the event in one on one conversation. Once again it was a good time of ministry.
Saturday, I went to bed and slept for about 5 hours before driving to church, to spend the night in hopes of being closer to church (My church is an hour from my home) when the impending snowstorm hit. I figured service might be cancelled, but I was prepared just in case. Well, the snow ended in the wee hours and the combination of good plowing and a beautiful sunny morning made it possible to have our service. I preached on a very timely and difficult topic, and it was very well received. Then I went home and took a nap.
Why do I share all of this? Because those were just some of the things that happened last week in this busy, busy life. A lot of work got done and a lot of thing were accomplished. I am convinced that on my own, I could not have finished it all, but God was faithful and I did my best to be faithful in response. The end result was everything got done and it went well to God’s glory. Tomorrow I jump back into everything again, but today I rest. I have to.
Oh don’t get me wrong, I could fill this time. We’re five weeks from Easter after all, and if Pastors had a Super Bowl, it would be Easter. There is much to be done for church, and I am booked with something every week beside my pastoral duties. There is a lot of creating to be done between here and there, but today I rest.
I know you’re busy, but are you resting? My week demonstrated something to me that every creative needs to remember. God is good and faithful and He comes through. He doesn’t need us but enjoys working through us. At the beginning of the week I didn’t know how it would all get done, but by the end of the week, it was done, because God came through. So today I rest. I have a leisurely pace, I’ll spend time in God’s Word, but I’ll resist the temptation to start studying for the sermon. Sometimes I need to let God just speak to me. I’ll take a prayer walk. I’ll do some reading and if I go into the studio it will be just for the sake of creating for joy. I will trust God to be faithful and deliver and I will acknowledge that my ministry is dependent on Him and not me. The same is true for every Christ-following creative.
Are you resting?
You need to.
AMOKArts 