Ministry on any level can be both challenging and stressful, especially during this season of Covid-19
which has placed unexpected challenges on our plates.
While we may have developed the ability to deal with the many disasters facing us today like
earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters. Or even the stress of racial unrest and hate
crimes, the emotional stress of lost, whether the lost of loved ones, friends, members of our congregation,
jobs or our economic status can take a great toll on our health: physically, mentally, and emotionally and
lead to burn-out.
Colin Buckland describes burnout in “Freedom to lead” as , “the exhausting of the inner resources that
enables a carer to go on caring. The using up of the essential ‘inner you’, rendering the individual in a
serious condition of dysfunctionality. The spending of self on others in such a way that the ‘inner bank
balance has gone into the red.”
As church leaders we make it a priority to take care of the needs of others while often neglecting our
own physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. This month I invite you to take some time and get away
with God. Take a “me” and “God” day…just some time alone together!
I like what Henri Nouwen said, “It is in solitude that we discover that being is more important than
having and that we are worth more than the results of our efforts. In solitude we discover that our life is
not a possession to be defended but a gift to be shared.
The Psalmist in Psalm 46:10 offered up some more good advice,
Be still and know (recognize, understand) that God is God and
will be exalted among the nations and in the earth.
Accept God’s invitation…come away with Me to a quiet place!