Most of the time, my mind and heart are focused on pushing forward – never being satisfied with the way things are and where I stand in my relationship with God, in my family life and in my work. I approach my leadership with the church in the same way – we cannot sit and stagnate, we must constantly being looking forward and pressing on toward the goal for which Jesus has called us.
But every once in a while it hits me. I serve a loving and compassionate God who occasionally tells me, “Why don’t you just sit a minute and rest in me.” Unfortunately, it takes discipline for me to do that but when I do, it is amazing!
I also need to remember that God has given me a wonderful, caring, supportive and totally hot wife whom I love with all my heart and who loves me. And beyond that, God has blessed us with three amazing young men for sons. While I am not the husband and father that God wants me to be all the time, I am trying. So maybe for today, I need to stop trying so hard and just for a moment simply be present and offer thanks for a great family.
And as it relates to my work – my calling, I serve the God of the universe who has placed me in what might just be the best congregation in America. Our people are loving, supportive, welcoming, outward focused and committed to pray for me as their shepherd. What more could a pastor want? I had one of these loving and supportive members approach me last week after the service and say, “You are exactly the person our church needs as our pastor.” As I gave her a hug, it dawned on me and I told her, “This is exactly the church that God knew I needed too!”
Today, I am taking a break from thinking exclusively about how things should be (just for a minute) and thanking God for how the important things are in my life. The result? I am truly blessed!
How about you? Has God blessed you?
Clay in the Hands 
Yes we are blessed. But the temptation is to measure our “Blessings” by the condition of our immediate surroundings. We tend to think that if “life” is going good, we are blessed. If life is going bad, then not so much blessed. Good things happening and the absence of turmoil are indeed blessings, but they are not the “real” blessing. These fail in comparision to the surpassing riches of his grace and our inheritance.