We're all pastors. Granted some of us may have a specific anointing to pastor but, much like those who are called to be evangelists, it doesn't get the rest of us off the hook!
We're naturally concerned about others if we're half-decent people and we probably spend a fair chunk of our week asking other people how they are, phoning them, texting them and generally making contact to see how their week/dilemma/situation is playing out. Which is lovely. But in doing all this, we can easily disregard our own needs and wellbeing.
Our team of mentors meet regularly to unload 'baggage' we've collected from time spent with students during the term. It has proven to be a really valuable experience and one that has helped us to let go of things we didn't even realise we were holding onto (and we're going to, all of us, because we're natural pastors remember...we're born to care!). Having done it for about a year now, I'm amazed we went for so many years without doing it, and we're looking forward to touching base with each other next week as this new term gathers momentum. It's so important to stop, think and do a personal MOT before heading back into schools. And it's the same for all of us, whatever our week delivers.
Proverbs 3:5 tells us to Trust in the Lord with all our hearts. If we trust in someone, we confide in them too. We share, we unload, we talk. Let's make sure we trust in our God before anything else, and let Him know how we are. Spoiler alert: He already knows how we are, but it will help us to work it out for ourselves!
Even Paul, one of the most significant pastors of the early church, knew the value and importance of putting personal wellbeing before addressing the needs of others (Pray also for me....Ephesians 6:19). A paramedic can't be too effective at their job with a bone sticking out of their leg; we won't be able to pastor for very long without making sure we're pastoring ourselves too!
So, the question for today is...how are WE?