33 in 33

33 years in... well, 33 minutes.

That was the sentiment pastor shared yesterday in the opening statements of his message; to convey 33 years of experience condensed in a morning message. Or 33 minutes for the sake of phraseology.

He was talking about how we are an imperfect people and yet, in we are made perfect in Christ as we grow in our revelation and knowledge of who He is. And that is a process that takes time. As another pastor friend of mine always says, whenever you read the Word, the Word reads you.

But, it really is true. The revelation of God is an evolving process. His infinite existence. Our finite minds. I don't need explain further. As life unfolds, our understanding expands. Pastor pointed how true this is, in the story of the woman caught in adultery. When Jesus asks for him who was without sin to cast the first stone, we are told that one by one, her accusers left. Starting with the oldest among them.

Why? Perspective that leads to wisdom. And the words of Christ turning the mirror upon their very souls. The recognizable problem of their own condition was more apparent to those who had been around longer; the younger, naturally, took a little longer.

I say all of that to say, I continue to be amazed at the direction and process of pastors in navigating the steps of what to preach and when and the changes that occur along the way. Not knowing who might be in church, nor what they are going through... so much goes unknown.

There's an art to public speaking. And for the most part, the speaker knows the topic and the audience has an expectation of the topic. Preaching on the other hand, really is a divine ordeal. The unseen hand of God arranging circumstances and events in peoples lives, in such a way as to be open to hear the Word of God, or closed and yet changed by the Holy Spirit as the Word is delivered. Conviction. Grace. Love. Hope. Restoration. The range of experiences, perspectives and understandings that people leave with, from the same sermon is utterly incredible.

It'd be easy for a pastor to get caught up in sharing whatever they feel like on any given Sunday, as much as it would be for me to write these posts. But I think we could all agree, in these last days, we truly need pastors to continually be seeking the face of God as they prepare for every message and devotional.  They may not fit their 33 years of experience in the time allotted for the sermon or service, but they can fill those "33 minutes" with the revelation of God through His Word.

Pray, this #seniorPastorSunday, that such would be the case in every service and opportunity. May they continually seek the face of God and share that which He has imparted and revealed to them through prayer and study. Pray an awareness in their lives, for their church and community; that they would know what to present and when as they trust the hand of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to be at work in their ministry and congregation.

That we not trust our own intuition
But solely on the sovereignty of God
And the prompting of the Holy Spirit,
For it is not our experience that matters,
But God's purposes being carried out
In those whose lives are wholly His.

- PNC