10 Things I Learned During My Leave – #1

#1 – I need Jesus – bad.

*** I warn you this is a brutally honest blog.***

When asked about my recent leave of absence many asked, “How was your vacation?” or “How was the sabbatical?”  Let’s get this straight – it was neither a vacation or a sabbatical.  I have to be honest – those five weeks messed up my routine.  I felt the pressure that many “stay-at-home Moms” feel.  My schedule was wide-open family stuff from daylight to past dark.  Moms – I feel your pain.

The most important part of my day is my personal time with God.  My schedule over the last few weeks wasn’t as conducive to that as my regular “pastor – dad” schedule.   ATTENTION: THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR SPENDING TIME WITH GOD.  Here is how Pastor Mark Batterson said this in a recent blog on a similar subject, “If you want to grow spiritually, you need a consistent diet of Scripture.  In fact, you will never outgrow your consumption of Scripture. There is no substitute. There is no supplement.”

While I was out playing the role of “disneyland dad” as I call it… running from big moment to big moment… I realized that I developed the following symptoms: I was grouchy, selfish, irritable, complaining, short-tempered, tired, lazy and spiritually numb.  The symptoms were easily recognizable by all, especially my spouse and kids.  Someone actually said, “I will be glad when you go back to work!”  Work is not what I needed.  What I needed was Jesus.  I was missing my daily time with God.

I need Jesus – bad.

For me, this was an eye-opening experience of how easy it is to fall-out of the routine or discipline of spending time with God.  Every week at Bethel Community Church we stress the importance for every follower of Jesus to read the Bible.  A huge part of growing in God is spending time with God through worship, prayer, and His Word. Reading your Bible is much like physical exercise… every day that you miss it, it is much easier not to do it the following day as well.

One more warning for pastors and those in ministry… Bible reading has to be for personal devotion.  Often times we read/study to see what God would say through us instead of spending time with God to see what He wants to say to us!  As pastors and leaders, we must recognize the priority to be a Christian first and spiritual leader second.  We can only minister from what is within.

I need Jesus – bad.

Here are a couple of Bible reminders on the subject:

• James 4:8 – Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
• Matthew 5:6 – Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
• 1 Peter 2:2 – Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.
• Psalm 119:72 – The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
• Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
• 2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that all God’s people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

My response?  Repent. To steal a line from the late King of Pop, “make a change.”  I believe it was Einstein who said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”  Confess your mistake and start fresh today.  Proverbs 28:13 – “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.”

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Tags: 10 Things, Bible, Bible Study, Leadership Lessons