OC Bereans

Gentlemen,

Here is the meditation that concluded Monday night’s study on Hebrews 4.  It adds perspective and inspires us to learn to live in Jesus’ easy yoke.  It’s called “Rest” and written by William C. Martin for pastors, but it applies to all  of us who follow Christ:

If you fill your calendar with important appointments

you will have no time for God.

If you fill your spare time with essential reading

you will starve your soul.

If you fill your mind with worry

about budgets and offerings,

the pains in your chest and the ache in your shoulders

will betray you.

If you try to conform to the expectations

of those around you

you will forever be their slave.

Work a modest day

then step back and rest.

This will keep you close to God.

Martin concludes his thought on rest with this observation:

One of the first things I look at when I begin spiritual direction with a pastor is his or her daily planner.  It reveals volumes about that pastor’s spiritual condition, values, fears, and ambitions.  It tells me who their bosses are, who their lover is, and how much value they place on their soul. If you’re working more than 50 hours a week, you’re not doing it for God no matter how eloquent your rationalizations.

Take a long, prayerful, meditative look at your calendar.  Who are you trying to impress?  God?  Give me a break.  The congregation?  Possibly.  Yourself?  Bingo!

Now cut some big chunks out of each week for family, rest, meditation, prayer, and “flower sniffing.”  When you’ve done that we’ll talk more about the path to God.

(William C. Martin, The Art of Pastoring: Contemplative Reflections, © 1994, p. 9.)

*More meditations can be found at the Soul Shepherding link on the right-side tool bar.

Study questions and a handout for Hebrews 5 will be posted later this week.

~ tr