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Honesty from the Pastor's Heart

1/5/2016

15 Comments

 
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​Honesty from the Pastor’s Heart
By: Pastor ODC​
Happy New Year!!! 2016 is here, and excitement fills the air, for some but not all.  I have been in conversation with several people who have voiced their ongoing frustrations with battling to overcome the many stresses they encountered during 2015.  Ironically, several of these conversations have included pastors and spiritual leaders, who have been doing a “good work” for the Lord and His people.  In the interest of full disclosure, I was one of the participants on this “I’m Blessed but Stressed Hotline.”
Yes, here at the very start of the year 2016, instead of being excited and energetic I feel exhausted and empty. I am mentally drained and running on “E”, hoping I could cross off one more item on “my” to-do-list before I completely run out of gas.  It appears that my efforts to be “successful” (fruitful – more spiritual word) are producing more stress than success.  Moreover, my efforts have taken a negative effect on my body and my spirit.  My body is battered, and my soul is sick from the clutter invading my life.  I have been emptying myself for others but have not cared enough for myself to refill my own tank.
So I asked myself, what is the problem?  I mean I’m doing a good work; in fact, I would argue I have been fulfilling my calling.  I have been selflessly offering myself to bless others, and those efforts have brought me much joy and fulfillment.  Yet, how could something so fulfilling leave me feeling so empty and burnout?  Subsequently, upon pondering this thought, I grew confused. Was the problem within me or not spending enough time taking care of me?  While these are the common diagnoses for those who experience my symptoms, they are not the answers to my condition.  The fact of the matter is I have gotten so focused on others that I lost focus of HIM. Shame on you Pastor!  I have been so focused on what He told me to do that I lost focus of who He called me to be!!  In my efforts to fulfill my “calling,” I forgot the first call on my life, the call to be a disciple.  That’s right, before I was called to pastor and preach, I was called to be a follower of Jesus, a Jesus lover, a Jesus fanatic, a Jesus freak!  I was called to daily devotionals, believing prayer, and joyful intimate fellowship with Christ. 
This is what Jesus meant when He said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).  When we focus on Him, He will enable us to effectively handle our to-do-list. He will restore our joy, renew our strength, and reorder our steps.  He will grant us grace, give us wisdom, and govern our hearts and minds with His peace.  God never intended for us to do it alone; He wants to do it through us.  The Apostle Paul testifies, “For this I toil, struggling with all HIS energy that HE powerfully works within me” (Colossians 1:29).  So if you’re a pastor, spiritual leader, or lay leader who is experiencing frustration and fatigue, allow me to share with you what God shared with me, “Refocus on Him and never become so focused on doing the disciple’s work that you lose focus of being a disciple.”

15 Comments
Sylvia Tyre
1/5/2016 06:58:49 pm

Thanks Pastor for the inspiration. May God continue to bless you....

Reply
Pastor ODC
1/22/2016 11:19:26 am

Thank you Sister Tyre! I am so grateful for your encouragement and support. May God continue bless you and your family!

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Marion
1/5/2016 07:26:42 pm

Very inspiring, moving, and motivating! Just what I personally needed at the present moment. GOD is always right on time! Thanks for the Word! This has truly blessed me! GOD Bless!

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Pastor ODC
1/22/2016 11:20:40 am

It's amazing how God meets us where we are with what we need! Thank you for commenting and your continued support.

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Mildred
1/5/2016 07:41:57 pm

Great article! Sometimes I feel like I'm running a rat race. Everyday I get up with these thoughts on my mind; I got to do this. I got to do that. Let me go here, let me go there. Job is so consuming and family has to be taken care of. I guess this explains why it seems like a task instead or a joy for what we do for Christ. I do agree with you when you say we lose our focus of being a disciple of Christ! We don't understand our purpose because everything is so routine. There is no Joy! I often ask myself, is God pleased with me? Am I trying to please Him, others or myself!

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Pastor ODC
1/22/2016 11:22:54 am

That is the question we must keep at the forefront of our mind, "Am I pleasing God? What is my motive?" Thank God His grace is sufficient! Thanks for commenting...Be Blessed!!

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Tracy Parker
1/5/2016 08:32:14 pm

What an amazing blog... One that I can surely relate to. I am one that places the needs of my family and friends before my own. In doing so, it has drained me to the point where I'm no good for myself. I had to learn that if I don't take care of self FIRST, I wouldn't be any good to my family. Thanks be to God that I haven't lost my focus on Him because I would surely be in a mess. Leaning on Him and trusting Him gives me the fuel I need to continue doing what I do. I'm also learning to focus on the "problem solver" more so than the problem because His word says that ALL things work for the good of them that love and serve Him. I believe His word, I stand on His word because He has never returned to me void. TGBTG for ALL that He has done and is going to do in my life...

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Ebony
1/5/2016 09:21:05 pm

Love the transparency. Thank you for sharing.

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JLeigh
1/5/2016 09:23:39 pm

A call to put Christ back in the center...I love that! Putting Him in the center puts Him in close proximity to every other area of your life. There's a lot to take note of in this post, but the thing I applaud most is your transparency. My prayer is that as you continue to live a life poured out, God will continue to strengthen you in your deepest places. Keep encouraging people...your life is changing lives!!

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Veronica
1/5/2016 09:46:53 pm

Amen! Just what I needed.

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Martina Stovall
1/6/2016 07:50:27 am

This blog really hit home for me. Needed this ❤️

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Alice Culliver
1/6/2016 11:12:25 am

Praying for your strength in The Lord. You are such a blessing to so many. I thank God for what He is doing through you.

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Ericka Johnson
1/8/2016 02:29:21 pm

Such a confirmation to what so many people are dealing with at the start of this new year. If more would share there frustrations and disappointments as much as they share their job promotions and engagements, we would be better disciples and much more refreshed. I don't think the things that weigh us down doesn't mean we're weak or any less closer to God, sometimes we just need to learn another lesson on this walk with God. It's all to grow us so He can use us.

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Pastor J
1/8/2016 11:04:23 pm

Well said and well challenged for all

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Janica Tempero
1/17/2016 07:29:26 pm

Amen !

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    Pastor ODC is the Senior Pastor of Tabernacle Church in Selma, AL and a graduate of Beeson Divinity School.  He is a biblical scholar/student with social consciousness that challenges society to examine itself in light of the scripture.  He also encourages believers to fulfill their divine purpose to the glory of God.  His writing is compelling, convicting, and challenging.

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