Cut yourself some slack

The first time I saw this picture, I had to save it for sharing

Rightly or wrongly - actually wrongly in some (if not in most) instances, we - Pastors and Mrs Pastors carry too much or let others "make" us take on too much upon ourselves.

It saddens me when I hear Mrs Pastors share that comments like "'This' or 'That' is happening because our Pastor (and/or his wife - or husband where the Pastor is a born-woman) are not praying (hard) enough" are directed at them.

Then seeing some Pastors and/or Mrs Pastors "sink into" depression over it is also "depressing."

As I've said in my first 2 posts this year in different words, God has called us to "serve our Gift(s)" - not to be God. Remember, He is God alone and He alone is God - so cut yourself some slack.

I'm not saying that we should be slack.* Far from it! We have been called and have the responsibility of living and showing others how to live right before God. However, you cannot live anyone's life for them!

Romans 12:1-2, a Scripture addressed to each individual, says: "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. ² Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (NLT, emphasis mine)

It is each individual's responsibility to allow God to transform them. On the flip side, it is our responsibility as Pastors to ensure that the (Water of the) Word we "feed" and lead others to is pure, not polluted so that people who drink and "wash" in it are transformed - not tainted.

Reference:

* Proverbs 4:13 - Hold on to instruction; don’t slack off; protect it, for it is your life. (CEB)