Pulpits Weigh Too Much

I think I’ve left jobs before because the weight of time and life sometimes gets so hard for me to carry. Those in ministry will understand this one.  It is not preaching that wears me down or wears me out. In fact, the more I preach the higher my energy level seems to get.  It’s like preaching itself is it’s own second wind. It is the problems and the pressures that drain me.  It’s carrying the boulder of past experience, of false (and sometimes true) things said about you, it’s the knowledge of people’s struggles and situations which make you weigh each word, it’s seeing who is not present and wondering why, or worse knowing why.  It’s the sickening hypocrisy of knowing what someone has said about you behind your back, ‘cause it always gets back to you, but smiling and shaking your hand with blood dripping from the knife.  It’s knowing your own shortcomings, sins and mistakes and knowing that others know them too. It’s virtually undressing your soul each week before others and having someone’s only comment be on your tie.  And joy and energy and spirit turn to - weight.  It’s not the study or the text or the Lord. That's why preachers love preaching in meetings and seminars and lectureships - you don't carry all that weight with you then.

We have to let go and give all of that to God. And when we do we have freedom, peace, passion and we become more effective for Him. The remedy must be love - loving God, His Family, His Word and His Son. Without all listed above we would not have the joy of being a part of people's lives, of helping them in their struggles, of listening to their hurts, or comforting their broken worlds, of rejoicing in their growth and their victories!

I love preaching and am blessed by the privilege to be a part of God's Work in People's lives. I've been blessed preach full time at four congregations over the 25-30 years and have loved being a small part of the good that God has done through His People there.  I am not quitting or burnt out or frustrated or whining - my joy level is set to HIGH...just saying what needs to be said.