Too long...
Time gets in the way. Time ticks by fast. I cannot believe it has been March since my last blog. It is not like I have been sitting around doing nothing. I have been busy, real busy and that is the problem! I was recently reading an article referencing The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. It has been a while since I read that book--like years!!! The article reminded me of a section of the book where the senior devil is writing a junior devil to give him advice on how to tempt human beings. There is one great letter in which the senior devil, says: "Look. If you have a client who is starting to think maybe there is a God, maybe there is a Jesus, maybe these things are true, or maybe the Bible is right, for goodness sake, don't argue with them. Don't get his reason going. Don't get him to ask big questions. Get him busy in life. Get him busy with the hustle and bustle. Show him the bus going by. Show him the papers being sold on the street. Keep him busy! That's the ticket to spiritual blandness."
So the Holy Spirit again hits me upside the head with a spiritual 2x4!
I am a pastor that means I study the Bible. I prepare sermons each week. I put together Bible studies. I answer people's questions about the Bible and faith. I disciple people in their walk with Jesus. I sit with people and offer counsel from the word of God. I cry with people. I call on them when they are sick (try too). I pray with people. I laugh with people. I do devotions with my kids. We pray together as staff. We pray as a family. The list goes on and on.
For the last month (since Christmas) I have been in a spiritual funk. I was really sick for a while. I blamed being sick for my funk but I have been healthy for a few weeks and still find myself in a funk. There is some outside stress in my life like a relocation back into the newly refurbished parsonage (great but disordered and stressful), some money issues as we wait for insurance settlements to pay up medical bills and other life issues but as I deal with those things I still find myself in a spiritual funk.
I was out to lunch on my day off with my best friend (my wife!). Between that lunch dialog I had and and the article I read reminding me of The Screwtape Letters God has helped me understand what is causing my spiritual funk.
I have been really busy!
Time gets in the way. Time ticks by fast. See all that stuff above in blue. Where do you see in that list where I took time to feed myself spiritually? I did things for other people. I did things with other people. I prepared for this and that event. Where is the time alone with God where I am making sure my soul is nourished and and refreshed and it is not about prepping for something or someone?
The devil sure did a good job of making me busy. I am not half as smart as I think I am. An old time trick and one I should not have fallen for because I know better. Pastors burn out and often they burn out because they are burning up the time doing lots of good things but really not making sure the lines of communication are open between God and them. If this can happen to a pastor, don't think it cannot happen to you. It is such an easy going and slow process you are in trouble before you are aware!
Remember all the times Jesus went into the wilderness, mountains to pray and get refreshed? When the Holy Spirit helps us see our errors do not get down on yourself but make a change. I am back at reading what others have written to help nurse my spirit and see Jesus and His love / work in my life. I am reflecting and contemplating on God's word not for others only but for myself. Guess what, I am feeling better. It is not an instant pill to cure my ills or yours but but I am feeling a sense of me following and Jesus leading. That is the way it should be. God guides and blesses your journey!
