Out Of Order

I think I listened to one too many sermons on the radio yesterday, because at some point during the afternoon as I recalled the portion I wanted to share in this post, I suddenly couldn't remember who it was that preached these points.

But he was preaching on priorities, and how often pastors and ministry leaders get them in the wrong order, as we all do at times. He shares the proper order in his life as follows.

1) My personal relationship with Christ.
2) My relationship as a husband to my wife
3) My relationship to my kids as a parent.
4) My relationship to the church as a pastor.

Then he concluded that order with the fact that all too many pastors have #4 as their #1... which is easy to do as he shared the time I came to realize that he had done the same. But it leads to disorder and chaos so quickly. It's the fast-track to burnout.

For what is a straight-forward list, it takes an intentional, disciplined approach in our daily lives to continually walk and act in this manner. It may not always be popular. It may cause some to get upset as they witness that they are not being made the priority they think they should be. Yet even as Scripture states (and can I add, what has often been shared in many a movie), what good does it do to gain the whole world, but lose your soul... and your family?

Shall we pray, this #deaconThursday for church leadership at all levels? Pray for those where their priorities are askew; where personal faith and family are taking a back seat to ministry. May God help them put their life back into proper order and bring healing and restoration to the dysfunction that has resulted. Pray for insight of purpose as to how better live intentionally. Pray for break-through in their lives and ministries as they go through this process; that what was being held back would come forth.

Forgive us, for making the work harder than it needs to be
Because we have misplaced priorities
For how can we effectively lead abroad
If we are not properly leading our homes.
For the glory of God
For the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC

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