I just finished writing the Pastor’s Pen for Sunday. In it I make a reference to the importance of time and not wasting it. As I was writing I couldn’t help but think about last Sunday (7-21-24) when I couldn’t preach. So the following is what I wrote to myself. Perhaps it will speak to you as well:
It’s Sunday morning, a time when I would soon be leaving for church and looking forward to preaching. But here I sit in my recliner with my pajamas on. It’s another one of those days when I’m not able to preach – days that I dread. All I feel like doing is sleeping, but I can’t even do that. So I sit here listening to the sound of the neighbor mowing his yard – a sound I hate. Although that’s a minor matter I feel like screaming “SHUT IT OFF!.
To sum it up, I’m discouraged because I couldn’t preach. But I am disappointed with myself for not practicing what I preach. Let me explain. It’s easy to prepare a sermon on how we should behave when we are disappointed, it’s another thing to do it. At the moment I’m making a failing grade.
I tell myself, it’s not like I’m asking for fortune, fame, or something foolish. I just want to preach – what God called me to do.And, yes I know if God wanted me to preach this morning He would enable me to do so. But, for the moment, the disappointment is still here.
However, even as I struggle with this, I know there is a good side to the story. I am reminded that God is in control and I’m not. God forbid that the opposite were true. Another positive is that I’ve been through this before and I know from experience that God can turn it around and give me victory. He can help me to be disappointed without getting discouraged. I’ve lost track of the times He has done so.
But, there’s something else that I am forced to face in times like these. I’m talking about the fact that the best is yet to come. And, as the old song says, “There’s no disappointments in heaven”. Thank God for that! Another old song says, I’m home sick for heaven I’ve got a longing to go”. If you think it’s out of place to feel that way you need to read Rom. 8:18-23. Please do!
Yes I am home sick for heaven, but as it was with Paul, I glad to stay on this earth as long as I am needed. However long that might be is God’s business.As long as we are on earth we will face disappointments, but we must not allow them to discourage us to the extent that it deters us from our duty. God is bigger than all your problems, so trust Him to give you victory, even when it seems impossible. Think about it! – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
Humble, TX.
