Consider it Pure Joy

Time off has been good. I've been retired for about 10 weeks now and I can't complain. Work around the house has kept me busy as well as filling in for a few of my friends on Sundays. We're looking forward to plugging into a church close by and just being a part of the congregation rather than stepping into the role as "pastor." The church I preached at Sunday was a chaotic mess and the beautiful thing was...it wasn't my problem. We hung out with some friends last night and talked about some of the struggles at their church and the beautiful thing was...it wasn't my problem. I read my brother-in-law's blog the other day and was saddened by the circumstances at his church but again, I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that the beautiful thing was...you know. I met with three other pastors for coffee the other day and they shared about their frustrations with their churches and the depression they battle. I could relate and it was more painful to listen than I would like to admit. What's the hope in all of this?

God doesn't waste a single experience of pain in our lives.

There has been great healing in my life that has come directly from the pain of ministry these last 5 1/2 years. I will be a better husband and father because of the way God has used pain and difficulty in my life.

The message of the cross is a message of hope rising up out of the ashes of pain and suffering.

"It wasn't my problem" sounds so flippant, but the reality is...it wasn't my responsibility. My calling in each of those settings was to listen, love and share whatever counsel I sensed the Lord leading me to share. I'm learning to recognize "my part" in various settings which I've not been very good at in the past. I've wasted a lot of energy trying to do "God's part" in my life and ministry.