Altars & Sacrifices

My apologies this is arriving late. Wednesdays are my incredibly long days. Be that as it is, I caught part of a conversation on the radio today, and they were talking about the transition in recent years, regarding families. Particularly, how families have moved from the marriage being the most important, to the kids having top priority.

We've all had our moments, but this has been a trending pattern for quite some time, now. And we've all witnessed the fall out and the aftermath. Sad when it transpires, frustrating to watch in the lives of friends and family; perhaps even your own. Of course, you've heard me make this transition before... ministry is not immune to this phenomenon.

In fact, marriages suffer when kids are the top priority, but here's an interesting dynamic...

Marriage obviously suffers if the ministry takes a commanding, top priority.
But here's my perspective and see if this bears witness:

How badly does ministry suffer when one's marriage isn't top priority?

Surely, it stands to reason that if the family suffers long-term consequences when the marriage is neglected, then how much more would a ministry suffer when the marriage of the pastorate is struggling?

I've been following a social media post of a Dave Ramsey community of people working through their finances to become debt-free. One wife shared the struggle of her family and finances and it resonated with me as I read it. The comments offered tons of suggestions and somehow, I read through the lines and realized everyone was missing the struggle. And as the comments continued, more people missed what was making this particular situation unusually difficult. But again, having experienced very similar, I was relating. If you've heard Dave's show, you'll recognize this oft quoted phrase, "Live like no one else, so that later, you can live and give like no one else." He's talking about the sacrifices you make now, so that you can win and later live a great and generous life.

And it was in that spirit that I offered this lesson, that I think leads us well to prayer.

"Tonight's life lesson. The altar can only hold so many sacrifices. It's entirely possible to be so focused on the sacrifices, that you end up sacrificing things that you never intended to be near that altar, let alone placed upon it. By all means, live like no one else in the short term, but be careful that the "later" living isn't done in loneliness."

Pray this #youthPastorWednesday, that God would help, to lead, guide and direct the time and place for sacrifices and altar. Pray that they would be made at the appropriate place and time; that the right things would be sacrificed. May that which needs to be made priority would happen and may they be put in their proper order and place. Pray that no matter what challenges and difficulties they face, that the marriages of our pastors would be guarded and protected. Pray for families and kids; grandkids and for generations... relationships matter, and may God help the balancing act that is building and maintaining healthy and strong relationships, both with God and those closest to us as well as those under one's care through the avenue of ministry.

For we can only do what we can do
Even with God's help and by His strength.
For His glory alone.

- PNC