I Need More Time
Just Thoughts: Time does not pass, it continues. - Marty Rubin
This past Saturday after service while hanging with some young adults, I had one of them ask me 'Pastor, where do you find the time to study the word?'. This person already knew that I also work a full time job in Austin supervising a team of 28 engineers, all while Pastoring students, young adults and the Hispanic community. This prompted another person there to say they had no idea that I worked a full time job outside of church. "How do you get the time to have personal time with God, time at your job with your employees, time for meetings with your leadership and most importantly, time for you family?"
The question if anything did convict me in one area, because the first question was 'how do I have time to study the word', which I then added in my mind, '... all while taking personal time away from my wife and kids.' The word "Pastor" derives from the Latin noun pastor which means "shepherd" and relates to the Latin verb pascere - "to lead to pasture, set to grazing, cause to eat". So how does someone have time to lead to pasture and feed sheep all while taking care of their own. Its not easy to be called to Pastor, because its not only a title that is given to you, but it is a lifestyle that you choose to live. Very many are called to Pastor, but very few fully walk in it. Talking to my wife, she understands what I was called to do and supports me, but I have to understand that in order for me to have a thriving ministry, I have to have a healthy home.
I read somewhere one time, that when asked how we should set priorities, most Christians will give the answer: "God first, then family, then ministry, then everything else." But in day-to-day living, how often do we practice this? We must remember the words of Paul concerning a leader, “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?” (1 Tim. 3:4-6) and “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself…Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Eph. 5:21- 6:4).
So going back to the question, 'how do I have time to study the word of God?'. My most honest answer is that its part of my lifestyle. I live and breath to reach people for the Kingdom of God. When you accept who you are in Christ, everything you do should glorify God. My morning and afternoon commute from Killeen to Austin is my personal worship service to God. Its when I speak to him and truly meditate on what God is calling me to do and say. Any breaks I have at work, at times are dedicated to learning more, to preparing more, to understanding the message that God wants me to say. So in all honesty, its those times that I have by my self that I truly study the word. Any other time is spent doing everything else I'm responsibly inclined to do.
If you are someone in my position, I just want to encourage you on the importance of taking care of home first. God will honor that and will honor your position. I've held on to Luke 12 where it says:
Luke 12:29-32 - And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 29 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. 32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
I'm at peace knowing that when I take care of God's Kingdom, he takes care of mine. There is always time for God, family and ministry. I encourage you to just remain rooted and planted in Jesus and He will take care of the rest of your time. Words from my heart.
Pastor Andres
This past Saturday after service while hanging with some young adults, I had one of them ask me 'Pastor, where do you find the time to study the word?'. This person already knew that I also work a full time job in Austin supervising a team of 28 engineers, all while Pastoring students, young adults and the Hispanic community. This prompted another person there to say they had no idea that I worked a full time job outside of church. "How do you get the time to have personal time with God, time at your job with your employees, time for meetings with your leadership and most importantly, time for you family?"
The question if anything did convict me in one area, because the first question was 'how do I have time to study the word', which I then added in my mind, '... all while taking personal time away from my wife and kids.' The word "Pastor" derives from the Latin noun pastor which means "shepherd" and relates to the Latin verb pascere - "to lead to pasture, set to grazing, cause to eat". So how does someone have time to lead to pasture and feed sheep all while taking care of their own. Its not easy to be called to Pastor, because its not only a title that is given to you, but it is a lifestyle that you choose to live. Very many are called to Pastor, but very few fully walk in it. Talking to my wife, she understands what I was called to do and supports me, but I have to understand that in order for me to have a thriving ministry, I have to have a healthy home.
I read somewhere one time, that when asked how we should set priorities, most Christians will give the answer: "God first, then family, then ministry, then everything else." But in day-to-day living, how often do we practice this? We must remember the words of Paul concerning a leader, “He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?” (1 Tim. 3:4-6) and “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself…Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Eph. 5:21- 6:4).
So going back to the question, 'how do I have time to study the word of God?'. My most honest answer is that its part of my lifestyle. I live and breath to reach people for the Kingdom of God. When you accept who you are in Christ, everything you do should glorify God. My morning and afternoon commute from Killeen to Austin is my personal worship service to God. Its when I speak to him and truly meditate on what God is calling me to do and say. Any breaks I have at work, at times are dedicated to learning more, to preparing more, to understanding the message that God wants me to say. So in all honesty, its those times that I have by my self that I truly study the word. Any other time is spent doing everything else I'm responsibly inclined to do.
If you are someone in my position, I just want to encourage you on the importance of taking care of home first. God will honor that and will honor your position. I've held on to Luke 12 where it says:
Luke 12:29-32 - And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 29 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. 32 “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
I'm at peace knowing that when I take care of God's Kingdom, he takes care of mine. There is always time for God, family and ministry. I encourage you to just remain rooted and planted in Jesus and He will take care of the rest of your time. Words from my heart.
Pastor Andres
I really needed to read this, this morning. Thanks for posting.
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