My daughter asked me what I would say, as a pastor for almost 40 years now, to the “me” who was a brand-new pastor. I thought about it for a few minutes, because there is so much I could say that would really be helpful. But I finally came up with an answer that covers much of that advice. My answer was, “Relax.”
Much of the burden of responsibility we feel comes from things that we neither can control nor shouldn’t control even if we can. And so much instruction from the Bible is directed towards helping us relax, from “cease striving” to “don’t be afraid” to “be anxious for nothing.”
So, my advice to the younger me is the same advice I would give to all believers – including my present self: “Relax.” Not in “denial” or in complacency but by faith in the One who truly is in control of all things.
Something to take just a moment to consider today.
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