This is a post especially for my pastor friends.
Dear Friend,
I know you have a lot on your mind. You’re probably reviewing how Sunday went and thinking about what you’re going to share next Sunday. You’ve probably got a pretty full agenda this week: staff meetings, board meetings, maybe a counseling appointment or two, and a hospital visit. There’s lots happening (there always is, right?).
Can I break into your week to ask you a simple question: What did you read in your Bible this morning for you? You know, your personal devotional time—what was God’s Word saying just to you?
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote this:
“We are reading the Word of God as God’s Word for us. Therefore, we do not ask what this text has to say to other people. For those of us who are preachers that means we will not ask how we would preach or teach on this text, but what it has to say to us personally.”
Here’s a simple principle: You cannot give to others what you have not received yourself. So you need to be filled up so that you can be emptied out.
Although your week may be busy, please, please, please take the time to read God’s Word for yourself. It will help you and your congregation as well.
May God fill you and then empty you, my friend, for His glory!
Cheering you on, I am your friend,
Craig T. Owens 