Needless to say I’ve been working recently, just not my normal work. My wife and I had the fun and excitement of packing the entire house. After Christmas we had three weeks to get our new house ready to move into. This meant commuting 35 miles from my mother-in-law’s house each day so I could paint, and tear up carpet, and clean. Ok, my wife and other ladies did most of the cleaning. But still everything was exhausting work, especially when you go home and you’re not sleeping in your own bed and you know that you get to get up and do the same thing over again the next day.
I started preaching at my new church on the first Sunday of January but it really didn’t feel the same since we weren’t moved in. Last week was dedicated to unpacking which makes this the first week that I feel like I’m really “working.” What I’ve discovered is that I actually kind of miss working. I love preaching and in many ways it doesn’t even feel like work (except when I’m working hard to finish a sermon at the last minute.) But this is my first week that I’ve had hospital visits and reports and other administrative stuff to do. And strangely it feels pretty good. Two weeks from now I might be ready to tear my hair out but for the moment this is alright.
When I interviewed for this position I was asked the question whether I felt that being a pastor was a job or a calling. My response was one that I’ve heard from others but is true for me as well. You should only be a pastor if you can’t find fulfillment doing anything else. If you can be happy working in an office or on a construction site or elsewhere, that’s great. Do that. But if nothing else will bring you fulfillment like working in the ministry then that is a clear sign that God has called you to it.
This week I feel as if God has reaffirmed my calling. Even the parts of ministry that I don’t particularly enjoy, I have missed because it is a part of what God has called me to do. I’m thankful that God has me where He wants me and that I’m doing what He wants me to do. I pray that He will continue to guide and direct me in the next step.