What Can You Do?
I’ve been preaching on GRACE lately. Grace is a tough thing to describe. It may be just one specific thing… but, there are so many facets to it… so many blessings from it. It’s kind of like a diamond… one beautiful stone… but, turn it in different ways and you see so much of its different forms of beauty…The definition of GRACE I’ve been using is: when God gives us something we don’t deserve. That encompasses so many different things… saving grace, or our opportunity for salvation; sustaining grace, or our opportunity to be strengthened in times of difficulty; liberating grace, or His ability to heal our broken hearts. We’ll explore even more before we get done with this 10-week series. You can listen to those messages right here on our website… or even contact us for CD or MP3 copies.
But, my point today isn’t to encourage you to listen to those messages. It’s to share with you that pastors need grace too. Sometimes we forget that. We put our pastors up on pedestals… thinking they can do nothing wrong… that they have everything under control… that they are perfect. That’s simply not the case… and any pastor who tells you that is not being honest… either with himself or others. Pastors are human too… we have struggles… in our personal and professional lives… and in our spiritual lives as well. We need encouragement and love. We need prayer and support. We need grace. October is Clergy Appreciation Month. What can you do for your pastor to show him grace? What blessings will you shower upon him this month? Will you pray for him? Will you send her a card? Will you bake him some of his favorite cookies? Will you support their ministry in your church? Please don’t think I come for myself alone or because I just need a pat on the back this month (those are always welcome!). I come for the pastors in our communities… many of whom would be reluctant to ask you to show your appreciation. I come as someone who knows their struggles. Will you show your love for them in a tangible way this month? They probably know about receiving blessings from God that they don’t deserve… but, it’s always nice to receive blessings from the people they shepherd and lead. Thanks.
Pastor Joe
