September 8, 2006

The intense activity of our two churches this month have cried out to me, “Attention!” Seminars, surveys, schools, remodels and revivals all call for oversight. Church life is hopping. It’s exciting. There’s so much to do.

So when I returned from vacation flat on my back, I was disconcerted to say the least. I believe it all started when I fell out of a tree I was trimming about 14 years ago. One year later a disc ruptured in my lower back, probably brought on by the tree incident. Since the subsequent surgery I’ve had chronic sciatic pain in my right leg. A couple of years ago it moved to my left leg.

Over the years, the pain, while fairly consistent, was also fairly mild and I fairly effectively ignored it. Whenever I’d do something stupid, it would flair up and I’d have to be extra careful for a couple of weeks. But I sobered up when my legs started spasming and giving out from under me. This was a new and disconcerting development.

Now I’ve digressed. I began my saying my responsibilities were calling me to “attention.” My body was saying, “At ease.” My body won. The interesting thing about these past two weeks is that I’ve been reminded how important my attention is to the church. I’ve also, at the same time, been reminded that my attention isn’t what really matters.

Good leadership is vital to a thriving church. Intensive prayer is indispensable. So while I’ve been on the phone, on my computer, on and flat on my back for a couple of weeks, I’ve been on my knees in spirit. It’s been a valuable perspective. It works. I’m ready for a different a different body position, but would like to continue in the same state of mind.

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. Matthew 21:21

Be at peace,
Pastor Steve