(Minister Well Newsletter, July 2017)
“Take it all in.” That is the advice I give to brides on their wedding day. After the courtship, months of wedding planning, premarital counseling, dress fittings, fine tuning every possible selection and decision, and hours of doing hair and makeup there will be a singular moment. It is that moment when the congregation and her groom first see her at the end of a long aisle, looking and feeling like a princess. And right then, before she begins walking toward her groom, is the moment to “take it all in.” She has the vantage point of seeing the entire scene that is her vision of perfection come to life. At the very front are her dearest loved ones, her closest friends, and her bridegroom who cannot take his eyes off of her as he waits. Breathe deeply and don’t rush the moment.
As ministry leaders, we plan, plan, and then plan some more. We consider the community outside of the church, the life of the church, the group we are serving, and even individual needs and preferences when we plan events and services. Hours of preparation go in before people arrive, and there will be more labor involved before we lock up and go home. Even while the event or service is happening, we are juggling various people needs. And, frankly, that’s what we have either volunteered for or been hired to do.
But if we are not intentional, we will miss the point, the joy, the glory, and we will become bitter by serving man rather than God (Colossians 3:23). And so, like the bride, I urge you to “take it all in.” Make it a high priority to step back to see it all, or dive in to be immersed completely and see what God is doing through and in His people (including you).
Mind
A powerful mindset that ministry leaders often verbalize is their commitment to serving God regardless of how challenging or tiring it can be to serve His people. And although the words sound good, the message is lost when it is expressed through gritted teeth or exhaustion. Instead, what if you thought in each event, gathering, service, hospital visit, small group meeting that “God has called me to this moment with Him.” There are two ways we need to hear that in order to feel God’s love and to be His hands and feet in this world. 1) He has uniquely singled me out and gifted me for this purpose at this time. 2) He is showing me more of Himself through this experience.
Body
If you are realizing that it would be refreshing to “take it all in” again, here are a few behavioral tips to help you be more intentional in this way. Utilize all of your senses – sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. It is always fun to hear the comments from male helpers at a full-blown women’s ministry function as they speak about how our women’s events differed from the men’s events in all of these ways. The other tip is simply to stop moving and breathe. Years ago at a night of prayer event I mentally became a fly on the wall for a moment and heard the most beautiful sound – hundreds of men and women praying aloud, some crying, some laughing, some holding hands, some on their knees. Even now I’m moved to tears to remember how clearly I saw our God on display. It didn’t matter how many chairs were at the tables, what people wore, what food was served, who was sitting where, or if we were running late. What mattered was communing with God and his people.
Spirit
Listen to these familiar words from Acts that describe the posture of walking with God that glorifies Him for who He is, allows us to enjoy Him, and builds His family. “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied” (Acts 9:31 ESV). Now that sounds like the kind of Christian community we all want and need to be part of. I love the MercyMe song, “I Can Only Imagine” that fantasizes what it will be like when we stand before our Bridegroom and see Him face to face. For now, how much more would we enjoy Him if we were mindful of living our lives as His bride and taking in each moment His gives us along the way?
Challenge
Don’t miss what God has called you to. “Take it all in!”
Wishing you good health – mind, body, and spirit.
In Him,
Heather Clark, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist, PY 7620