#284 Shoveling Thoughts

About ten days ago Le Mars got a bunch of snow—I heard as much as 9". (We also got a bunch of snow two days ago, but this story is from the earlier snowfall.) So I went out in the morning with my shovel to clear my driveway. I knew it was going to be a long process, so I told myself to take it a little bit at a time. Don't look at how much is left; just fill the shovel and focus and getting rid of that snow. Over and over and over again I hauled away shovelfuls until my work was done.

As I reflected on my shoveling, I started to think that it was a little bit like ministry as a pastor. There are always things that I can do. I could spend time with church members or getting to know unchurched people in my community. I could do my reading and sermon preparation or revise my sermon another time. There are administrative tasks to be done. If I think about how much I could do yet, I will without fail be overwhelmed. In fact, unlike my shoveling, the work of ministry doesn't have a clear end point. There is no end to visiting and praying and caring for people. My sermon could always be better than its current state. So I just need to focus on doing the next thing well: Work on this relationship with a church member. Try this activity in the community. Consult this resource or write this paragraph. Maybe by God's grace I'll be able to look back at times and think I've made good progress. And certainly I must stop and reflect and learn from my experiences as well. But I need to remember that there's nothing wrong with little by little if I keep following Christ.

Grace and peace,

BMH