Fast Changes

"Time is ticking away. Tick, tick, ticking away."

Words sung by the popular Christian rap band, DC Talk, in their early years, and obviously, still very true many years later. It keeps a steady, even pace, yet seems to go by faster, all the more... like it is building up speed.

This felt especially true yesterday morning, as I stopped at a customer site, where they had moved buildings.... literally, right next door. I asked when they made the move, suggesting it had been 3 or 4 months. The guy replied... September.

But more important than the all too quickly passage of time, is how quickly life and situations can change. In an instant. Faster than my Keurig filled my coffee cup. Information that can change a decision. A response, whether emotional or intellectual that changes the nature and dynamic of the conversation. It's these "drop of a hat" moments, that can catch one off guard, and cause things to elevate in ways that we never intended.

It may not be an out of control moment, but certainly one that you could reflect on and think, that really wasn't necessary. There isn't or wasn't a valid reason the situation should have played out like that. Yet in the moment, everyone has the potential to act and react in ways that do not line up with intentions. Like the article I read the other day, on a Pastor who gave theoretically advice, should he one day find himself discussing a moral topic with his child. It happens to be a topic, many people, including Pastor have had to actually have with their kid. The sole comment at the time I read the piece, was to the effect of... should you find yourself actually having to have this conversation, let us know if you handle it how you've written about here.

A healthy reminder, that for all of us, life can get just a little too real... way too fast. And for as much as the everyday Christian needs God's guidance and direction in such circumstances, how more for Pastors and those in ministry.

Pray, this #associatePastorTuesday, for pastors and the situations they face, like we all do, when life and conversations change quickly, in ways we didn't expect. Pray for their actions and words, whether they are first or in response, that they would have the wisdom and discernment to not make matters worse. Pray for a calmness of spirit and a peace about their demeanor... that God is at work in all of our lives, even when it gets hard and difficult. May their be a grace and love that transpires... that brings about healing and guidance to challenging circumstances, rather than more harm and frustration.

For all of us are called to reflect Christ as we follow Him. And while we all fall short, His grace is sufficient.
May we operate in that grace, daily. No matter how fast to goes by. For the glory of God, we pray.

- PNC

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