Respite from Ministry

My husband can go all day without eating, if he is busy enough! He thrives on activity, especially people ministry, and he doesn’t think about food when he is so intensely involved with people. Until more recently, when he has become aware of having bouts of low blood sugar, wondering why he doesn’t feel well, food has not always mattered that much.

The ministry can feel like 24/7 some days. I think Jesus and his disciples had a very full schedule, most of the time. Jesus had a lot to accomplish in the three short years of ministry that he had on this earth, but even Jesus had to take care of his physical body.

The alternative is illustrated in the life of nineteenth century preacher, Robert Murray McCheyne, who “after graduating from Edinburgh University at age fourteen in 1827 and leading a Presbyterian congregation of over a thousand at age twenty-three, worked so hard that his health finally broke. Before dying at age twenty-nine he wrote, ‘God gave me a message to deliver and a horse to ride. Alas, I have killed the horse and now I cannot deliver the message.’”

Peter Marshall, former chaplain of the U. S. Senate also learned this lesson the hard way:

“In Peter’s case, I am certain that it was not God’s ideal will that he die of coronary occlusion at forty-six” (Catherine Marshall, in Something More). After his first heart attack a friend asked, ‘I’m curious to know something. What did you learn during your illness?’ ‘Do you really want to know?’ Peter answered promptly. ‘I learned that the Kingdom of God goes on without Peter Marshall.’” (Quoted in E. Skoglund, Burning out for God, pp. 12, 30)

Interestingly enough, Jesus, who was equally God and man, did not teach his disciples to “burn out for God” either. Just when ministry was getting exciting and people’s lives were being changed daily, Jesus scheduled a retreat for himself and his disciples!

My husband has acknowledged that he sometimes feels that it is selfish to think about his needs when the needs of others are so compelling. It is a hard lesson for anyone whose vision and compassion is strong, but I find it interesting that Peter Marshall knew that God would accomplish his work, with or without him!

Father God, thank you for the reminder that the fulfillment of your Kingdom’s work is not dependent on me alone. Help me to find healthy rhythms that balance ministry and rest, trusting that you will actually accomplish your will, with or without me. May I not “kill the horse” that you have given me, thinking that this is what you want. Amen.

Throughout this day: Think about your plan for today. Are you addicted to activity? Are you able to step back and trust God to accomplish what you cannot? What is keeping you from being able to take care of yourself in the midst of a busy ministry schedule?