If you spend any time on social media or the internet in general you probably have seen a post or two about the vocation of pastor. I have recently seen many posts and articles about the challenges, struggles, and negative sides of being a pastor. I have read many of them and I don’t disagree with them, but that is not the only side of being a pastor. There are many joys that seem so simple yet for me are so profound.
From time to time in my parish which has two pastors one of the pastors will simply take a time to worship with his family and have no responsibilities in the worship service. This is truly a wonderful blessing which is granted to me that is not possible for all pastors in their situations. One of the things that I try to do is see the worship service from a different perspective and this is where some of my greatest joy comes from as a pastor. From a recent Sunday in which we were celebrating Holy Communion I received a wonderful gift from a parishioner and they had no idea they were giving me a gift. After receiving the body and blood of Jesus Christ for myself and returning to my seat saying a pray of thanks to God for the gift of forgiveness that he continues to give to me I received another gift. The gift was simple, but for me it was a great gift as a pastor and the gift had nothing to do with me other than if filled me with joy. I watched a mom and her child kneeling together in prayer. It brings me joy when people cherish the grace that Christ freely gives to people. It brings me joy when my parishioners are in prayer. It brings me joy to see the grace of Jesus Christ playing out in people’s lives.
It is amazing how far a little joy will go! All I can say is thank you to this unnamed mom and child! All I can say is thank you to God for what he has done in lives of that mom and child. All I can say is thank you for the forgiveness of sins that is freely given by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Pitching Preacher 