Renew My Heart
Ron Walters
Over the years I've met with hundreds of pastors. They're an interesting lot. They've ranged from the newly graduated to those who've pastored longer than I've lived. My favorites are the ones who smile at each new day, the ones who expect God to flex His omnipotence. Their Bible pages are yellowed and dog-eared but their spirit is childlike. Nothing is choreographed. They're never surprised when someone finds Christ, yet always amazed that God would use them. Through it all, they have remained fresh. The fire still burns. When they preach, their stuff is new and alive. They've heard every hymn, song and chorus, but they still get goose bumps during Handel's Messiah, and fight back tears as the kids sing "Jesus loves me, this I know." There's nothing canned about their ministry, it's real. And it's powerful.
But, I've often wondered, "When does it happen? When is it that zeal dies? And what cruel thief steals a pastor's heart?" Bruce Larson, in The One and Only You, illustrates the ease with which we can lose that passion. He uses the common cold and a married couple as his principal point-makers.
The first year the husband says, "Sugar, I'm worried about my baby girl. You've got a bad sniffle. I want to put you in the hospital for a complete checkup. I know the food is lousy, but I've arranged for your meals to be sent up from Rossinis. It's all arranged."
The second year: "Listen, honey, I don't like the sound of that cough. I've called Dr. Miller and He's going to rush right over. Now will you go to bed like a good girl just for me, please?"
Third year: "Maybe you'd better lie down, honey. Nothing like a little rest if you're feeling bad. I'll bring you something to eat. Have we got any soup in the house?"
Fourth year: "Look, dear. Be sensible. After you've fed the kids and washed the dishes you'd better hit the sack."
Fifth year: "Why don't you take a couple of aspirin?"
Sixth year: "If you'd just gargle or something instead of sitting around barking like a seal."
Seventh year: "For heavens sake, stop sneezing. What are you trying to do, give me pneumonia?"
Someone has said "marriages are not ruined by a blow out, but by a slow leak." I suppose the same is true of ministries. The demands in this people business are many. The clamor for your time and attention are commonplace. You alone have the "official answer." It's easy to get tired. Or worse, jaded. As Jethro told Moses, "The thing you are doing is not good. You will surely wear out."
The scriptures are stained with the accounts of spiritual men and women who, for a while at least, lost that freshness. For example, Samson trusted in a lesser strength. King Saul waffled on obedience. Solomon got bored. John Mark turned fickle. The unnamed prophet in Bethel became lethargic. They all staled like old bread. Peter let down his guard. Jonah ignored an assignment. Adam and Eve, Ananias and Sapphira, all became weary in well doing. Timothy was another. But Paul refused to let his young protégé slide. "Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching. Persevere in these things." Stay fresh!
Charles Spurgeon, a veteran pastor of 38 years, wrote in Lectures to My Students that a workman who loses the edge on his tools will experience "a drought on his energies." He said, "It would be vain for me to stock my library, or organize societies, if I neglect the culture of myself. For books, and agencies, and systems are only remotely the instruments of my Holy calling. My own spirit, soul and body, are my nearest machinery for sacred service. My spiritual faculties, and my inner life, are my battle ax and weapons of war."
King David's tools had lost their edge, his ax had become dull. His careless eye and undisciplined desires robbed him of his usefulness for God. The loss was enormous. The freshness was gone. His attitude was broken. His prayer contrite. "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me... Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit." Make me fresh again. Please.
Take care of yourself. Be fresh! You are an irreplaceable piece in our Kingdom work.
Blessings,
Ron Walters
Vice President of Church Relations
P.S. If you're looking for great preaching tools, don't forget Preaching Magazine. It's my favorite. Check it out at Preaching.com. Do your congregation a favor by subscribing.
Copyright 2007 by Ron Walters | | | | 
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