Jesus in a Coffee Shop
I came to Starbucks today to get away from my office to focus on writing my sermon for this Sunday. It always amazes me how much a simple change of scenery and cup of coffee can do to help me find a renewed sense of motivation and energy. I came with my notes, Bible, and laptop in tow - and after I ordered my usual grande dark roast, I settled down in my own quiet corner and set to work.
As I started to do some study on the passages I am preaching on, I did my usual routine of reading, re-reading, etc. I took some notes in my journal and jotted down some thoughts and questions. But as I continued to do my sermon work, I ended turning away from that to take some time to journal and pray. And man, this was exactly what my heart needed.
I feel like it is generally agreed upon that Advent is a super-busy season. For the last 19 years, this time of year meant final exams or big papers and projects being due. I feel like I am pretty used to this time of the year feeling busy and a little bit chaotic. But being in my first-year of ministry and experiencing my first Advent as a senior pastor has brought an entirely new meaning to "busy" during this holiday season. Apart from the being a mom part, this pretty well summarizes what it feels like to be a pastor during Advent:
The worst part of it is that I know I need to slow down and be quiet - I need to take time to actually rest in the reason of this season. I realize that I am super stressed and overwhelmed some days, but I don't really know what to do about it. Even when I take time to get away from my work and run or relax, I still come back to a to-do list that feels like it will never end.
Again today, I came to Starbucks to work on my sermon and try to get some preparation and writing done. Even though I allowed myself to get away from the confines of my office, I was still setting-out to be productive. But God had other plans for my work-trip at Starbucks, and I am so grateful.
Because once I shifted from writing sermon notes to journaling, I ended up giving words to a lot of the stress and anxiety I've been feeling lately. I was finally able to name some of the fears that I have been trying to shove down and bury beneath productivity. I certainly didn't come up with any ground-breaking solutions - I didn't wave a magic wand that took away all of the things on my to-do list. I am still in the middle of a busy and expectant season in the life of the church. But I did have time for my soul to rest in the Lord, and I was finally able to bring some of my insecurities and doubts to God. And in naming and praying through some of these concerns that feel overwhelming, God is helping me to have a little more grace for myself.
Even if it was just for a few hours at a Starbucks during my work-day, I was finally able to slow down enough to spend time with the Lord in prayer. It was still a bit more busy than might be ideal, but in the middle of a busy week, I am grateful for these hours spent journaling, praying, and drinking coffee. I might have come to Starbucks to work on my sermon, but I ended up taking some time to abide in God and let the Lord lavish me with love and grace. My sermon draft might still be virtually empty, but my heart is full. And for that, this busy and tired pastor is so grateful.
As I started to do some study on the passages I am preaching on, I did my usual routine of reading, re-reading, etc. I took some notes in my journal and jotted down some thoughts and questions. But as I continued to do my sermon work, I ended turning away from that to take some time to journal and pray. And man, this was exactly what my heart needed.
I feel like it is generally agreed upon that Advent is a super-busy season. For the last 19 years, this time of year meant final exams or big papers and projects being due. I feel like I am pretty used to this time of the year feeling busy and a little bit chaotic. But being in my first-year of ministry and experiencing my first Advent as a senior pastor has brought an entirely new meaning to "busy" during this holiday season. Apart from the being a mom part, this pretty well summarizes what it feels like to be a pastor during Advent:
The worst part of it is that I know I need to slow down and be quiet - I need to take time to actually rest in the reason of this season. I realize that I am super stressed and overwhelmed some days, but I don't really know what to do about it. Even when I take time to get away from my work and run or relax, I still come back to a to-do list that feels like it will never end.
Again today, I came to Starbucks to work on my sermon and try to get some preparation and writing done. Even though I allowed myself to get away from the confines of my office, I was still setting-out to be productive. But God had other plans for my work-trip at Starbucks, and I am so grateful.
Because once I shifted from writing sermon notes to journaling, I ended up giving words to a lot of the stress and anxiety I've been feeling lately. I was finally able to name some of the fears that I have been trying to shove down and bury beneath productivity. I certainly didn't come up with any ground-breaking solutions - I didn't wave a magic wand that took away all of the things on my to-do list. I am still in the middle of a busy and expectant season in the life of the church. But I did have time for my soul to rest in the Lord, and I was finally able to bring some of my insecurities and doubts to God. And in naming and praying through some of these concerns that feel overwhelming, God is helping me to have a little more grace for myself.
Even if it was just for a few hours at a Starbucks during my work-day, I was finally able to slow down enough to spend time with the Lord in prayer. It was still a bit more busy than might be ideal, but in the middle of a busy week, I am grateful for these hours spent journaling, praying, and drinking coffee. I might have come to Starbucks to work on my sermon, but I ended up taking some time to abide in God and let the Lord lavish me with love and grace. My sermon draft might still be virtually empty, but my heart is full. And for that, this busy and tired pastor is so grateful.
Comments
Post a Comment