Dear pastor,
I really want to make a difference.
I can’t stand the idea of wasting my life.
The doubts and fears that encroach on me as a pastor can at times be overwhelming:
- Why have they stopped attending?
- Why do they insist on acting that way?
- We just can’t keep going the way things are…
- Why are so few willing to help?
- Why can’t I seem to say or do the right things to really make it work?
I’m sure that you like me have thought these things and perhaps 1000 other discouraged and negative thoughts as well.
I believe that we each want to truly make a difference and we want to serve in a place and in such a way that we can make the most impact possible.
But it seems like no matter how hard we work, or what specifically we do, that people still insist on putting God on the backburner and pursuing whatever else (anything else sometimes!) that catches their interest.
And although it seems that we are getting nowhere, we also know that we cannot quit because we have been called to this and we have this passion like a fire inside of us simply driving us to tell people the good news!
So what is the answer?
Books have been written on this, so what can I say briefly that will encourage, empower and equip?
Let me keep it simple:
- Open the Bible, read a chapter (or more) and simply trust that God is speaking
- Get on your knees and conversationally tell God all you are thankful for and all that you are concerned about
- Pick up your phone and call 5 people asking them what God is teaching them and if you can pray for them (and then pray with them right there over the phone)
- Tell people with excitement and joy all that God wants to do for them if they will simply trust and obey
Does this seem overly-simplistic?
Yes!
But if everything else were stripped away and this was all you did, would you make a difference?
YES!
So whatever else you are doing these days and no matter what you are thinking about or what weight you are under, please do the 4 things above and then make sure to notice and praise God for whatever He does along the way!
Thank you for making an eternal difference for countless people by your faithfulness and perseverance!
Christ is with us, Christ is in us!
Mike J
Pastor Encouragement 