Lent, Passion Week, the weeks that follow –

Sometimes it is good to be reminded of how your spiritual journey began. Likely you did not set out on the rather broken road to become what you are now. Caught up in the current roles and responsibilities of your ministry to the church where you serve, almost consumed by the “many and much” of managing it all, you seek to remain faithful to the Lord and His people. How? By speaking into, on behalf of, and over them, the things of God; ever pointing, not to yourself, but to Him. With all the good that you faithfully do as pastor, priest and prophet, there is likely one thing you lack or fail to remember – you also remain, as you began, a pilgrim on the Way.

As pastor, priest and prophet you are constantly giving out, for the Lord. Such can be arduous work for which you were designed and called by God. However, never to be denied or neglected is the pilgrim’s Journey with Him. In the intimacy of that journey, where your first love lies, you seek to discover and know Him deeper. On the Way with the Rabbi, there is constant receiving and taking in from the Lord; being made to lie down in green pastures, led by still waters, restored in soul. Directed, corrected and re-directed by His love, your footsteps are illuminated by His Word and your mind is enlightened with renewed perspective. From this you are enabled to give again, where previously you had nothing to give.

So pilgrim on the Way, in your role as pastor, priest, and prophet, faithfully ministering to the not-always-so-lovable Bride; know this:

  • You are loved – His “beloved.” (whether or not you believe it)
  • You are His chosen vessel. (even when you doubt that you are)
  • You are noticed, seen, and treasured by Him. (even if others don’t)
  • You are not abandoned, rejected, or forgotten by Him. (even in the dark night)
  • You are what God says you are (not what others may say or think)

The walk on the Way may not be easy, but there is no other way worth walking. You don’t have to know where you are going, as long as you know the One who goes before you. Stay close daily, through the day, walking with eyes wide open; alert to all that may distract or draw you away from Him (even that of “gettin’ ’er done” doing the Lord’s work). Rest in His Presence to work in his Presence (not the other way around). Even pastors, priests and prophets, like pilgrims seek, follow and know.

As you care for the souls of others, see to it that you seek the care of your own soul. Soul-care is not selfish care. It is to cease striving on your own strength and seek thriving on the strength that comes from abiding in the true Vine. It is to draw from the true Source of your life and true Provider of your livelihood. Finally, for some of you (and you know who you are), as an overworked pastor, priest and prophet in your ministry, it is to be less available to your people in order to be more available to your God. That goes against the grain of most people’s expectations of you in your role! Still, everyone will be better in the long run.

Why these words I’ve put before you? Because I have been there and lived it, and because I care for you now. You are called by God to minister in season and out of season, in ways I no longer am able. So fellow pilgrim, in this current ministry Season, this one is one is for you. And all that you do in His name, may it be for His glory!

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. ~ Isaiah 55:6 NIV

—RWO/MAST