“IF”s

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Stepping away from active pastoral ministry has been quite an adjustment. Up until now, because of chemotherapy treatments, surgery and subsequent issues, I didn’t give it much thought. As I began to feel better and returned to some normalcy, I found myself looking back over my years of pastoring and thinking about what I might have done differently or, more accurately, how I would be pastoring if I hadn’t retired. My therapist daughter assured me that my mind is clearer now that I don’t have the weight of administrating the church and it’s okay to enjoy fantasizing. 

Looking back over our life whether it be in the context of weeks, months or years, it can be detrimental to dwell on what I call the “What IFs.” What if “that” didn’t happen, or What if I had done “that” differently, etc. You get the point and we know that we can’t do it over, don’t we? But it is good to acknowledge that we can grow because of life’s experiences. 

So, how do we apply this to our future. This blog was birthed because of my desire to “Look toward the future through the lens of the past.” I wanted to “give out” from what God was speaking into my life now,. For now, I am unable to do any public teaching or preaching and I have to be prepared that I may not get to that point again. But I can share my thoughts, experiences and, most importantly, my heart through this medium. 

But what about you? Many of you may have many years ahead of you. And you already have past experiences that you’re learning from. Don’t keep them to yourself. Mentoring and discipling by their very nature, involve sharing our lives with others. Do it. Don’t hesitate. You have a lot to offer.

”Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and  MAKE DISCIPLES of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and TEACHING them to OBEY (observe) everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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