Once upon a time, God took vacation…

Once upon a time, God took a vacation. HE was tired of running everything, and decided it was time HE took HIS two weeks. So God planned HIS vacation all out. So, HE decided HE would go and see the Seven Wonders of the World on HIS vacation. Since, HE did create it, HE thought it would be nice to go back and visit. While HE was there HE spent a little more money than originally planned, but HE justified it and thought to HIMSELF, “I’ll just hold out my tithe a week or two!” I will understand – hope the church will too! Since God was having such a great time HE decided to stay a little longer on vacation and HE spent a little more money on things HE really didn’t need, but want’ to enjoy – after all HE did deserve it. When HE did finally get back home, it was late Saturday night, so HE thought to HIMSELF. “I am so, so tired, I think I will just skip Sunday School and Church altogether.” After all, I did go last month! So God took vacation from Church as well, this happening after missing the two weeks while on vacation. HE didn’t go to church while on vacation, because it wasn’t ‘HIS’ church and HE thought HE might feel uncomfortable going somewhere else, so HE didn’t bother. By this time, the next Sunday was going to be the end of a sermon series that the preacher had been preaching about. HE thought, ‘I missed out on most of this series already, so I will go next week.’ By this time, God had taken vacation from life and church for a month. It was only the first month of summer. The second month of summer came and by this time God kind of liked having the extra time to HIMSELF away from HIS church family. HE didn’t have to deal with messy people and their messy lives. HE didn’t have to listen to their grumblings about church and physical ailments. God said to HIMSELF again, ‘I think I will go back in the Fall, when everyone else goes back to church, too!

Aren’t you glad God doesn’t take vacation from you? Let’s remember since HE doesn’t vacate you, that you will make a commitment to not vacate HIM or HIS family!

Ministry!

I have in my office a few different quotes that help me keep my perspective in ministry. One is from Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." - the importance of prayer in minstry. The second one is a quote from Wayne Smith in a sermon titled - 'Playing Hurt': "Ministry is the calling of an inadequate man, to an impossible task for an indefinite period of time." My translation of this: In my ministry I will never be good enough, nor will I ever have 'arrived' to perfection - I must stay humble. In my ministry my job can never be done on my own ability - I must serve through the power of the Holy Spirit. In my ministry I will never be finish - completing the job - I must press on, regardless. The third and final quote I have hanging above my desk: "Make no small plans. For they have no power to stir humanity's blood." - Daniel Burnham, a 19th century architect. When I struggle - these keep me centered. God is always for me in my ministry and He never leaves me to fend for myself. My job is always for HIS honor - "the foolishness of preaching..." I need to dream big, to bring others along and see the incredible God I serve.