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Keep a Long Range Perspective
While riding the wave, God may give you extra grace and stamina. But eventually, without adequate rest, you’ll burn out.
During times of great growth, you might feel like you’re running a sprint. Though you might run hard, you have to still run smart. Wise spiritual leaders remember that ministry is a marathon, not a sprint.
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Eugene Peterson has some great thoughts on a sabbath in “Tell it Slant”
Everyone should try to clear out a day a week to ask the Holy Spirit what to do. Some peeps that push themselves so hard, they end up really tired and sometimes sick every few months. Sleep in once in a while.
I am here right now in my wave. I needed to hear these words this am so THANK YOU! I prayed for God to bring IT and IT is being Brought BIG TIME. I love IT and I am BLESSED. My only limitation…me and my physical ability to do it all. Not possible. God’s word is my “Floatie” and my TRUE soft place to fall. Just need to do more Yoga (helps me) and rest in my maker….Hang 10 (as in the commandments….LOL)
Hey Craig,
Thank you for that reminder. When we added a second Saturday evening service I changed my weekly schedule so that I could get the rest I needed.
Another key to keeping a long range perspective is looking forward in time to see where the wave is taking you. In my doctoral research I found transformational leaders had what I coined as employing “The Art of the Long View”. They could evaluate the decisions that were being made to day based on what consequences they had in the long term. It was uncanny how accurate these leaders were in being able to predict the future outcomes of decisions made today.
Thank you for your leadership insight. I am saving these posts for reflection and encouragement.
Blessings,
Dave
Thanks for the reminder that ministry is a marathon and not a sprint. I always seem to want things to happen faster than they do, but I have to remember that it takes time!
Great marathon runners are all about pace, they train to make sure they are hitting their time per mile so they aren’t to fast (burn out) or too slow (finish under potential). What I think it is amazing is that world class marathon runners can run that race with all sub 5 minute miles, completing it in a short as 2 hours and 9 minutes.
Craig, what are a couple of the “time per mile” markers you’ve found help you keep a good pace as a leader?
Craig appreciate you so much bro. Praying for you this Fall season.
Ministry can be amazing, it can get confusing to someone very driven like myself, how far and how long?
What are some of the steps and things YOU do to control this temptation?
I don’t feel that we’re in a wave right now ~ but, we’re all sprinting. Maybe that’s WHY we’re not in a wave…could that be?
It’s so hard!
I have the unrest feeling when I’m not moving!!!!
But I agree. I must continue to find periods of rest…
Hey Craig, what does your “resting” schedule look like?
I’d also like to hear from anybody else that feels they are in a good, rhythmic schedule of rest.
Thanks and God bless!
Freneticism
Sucking the life out of life
Deceleration
“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.”
Psalm 46:10 (MSG)
Rest and long term perspective are vital for ministry freshness.