Feeling Like a Rubber Band

     About this time every year, I start to feel like a rubber band that is being gradually stretched to capacity, hoping I don't break. As the pastor who oversees discipleship ministries, it is my responsibility to make sure that all Sunday School classes, small groups, etc..., are formed and ready to go. I also work with men's ministries, nurture ministries, and other areas.
     I love it.
    The church is an exciting place to work in August, because with the start of the school year, so many people are open to new routines and new beginnings. My prayer is that, as a congregation, we learn to identify the BEST opportunities for growth and say yes to those things. I also hope we learn to say no to other things, even things that are otherwise good.
    I struggle with this. There are so many GOOD things to engage in this fall. There are music ministries, mission ministries, Sunday School classes, men's ministries, nurture ministries, youth and children's ministries, and young adult ministries, just to name a few. Even though these are all good things, we cannot do it all! We have to identify the BEST for us and our families, and the right balance of rest, family time, worship, service, fellowship, etc... If we don't choose, somebody else will write our schedules for us and soon we will feel like the rubber band, ready to break.
     I have some tough decisions to make for this fall, not only as a pastor, but as a dad, husband, and follower of Jesus Christ. How will I connect with my children in meaningful ways this fall? What is the BEST opportunity available for us to do this? How will my wife and I stay in touch amidst all of the shuffling back-and-forth between home, church, school, work, and activities? And how will I find time to hear the whisper of God in my own life? Will I overbook myself, so that I don't have time to reflect and pray? Or will I build that time into my schedule.
     So many choices out there of how to spend our time. May we listen to God leading us to those best opportunities, and let the other things fall by the wayside.