Personal Challenge
There are not enough hours in the day to get everything done! I am amazed when I think of how swiftly time passes these days. There never seems to be enough time to get everything done! I can honestly say at the age of 35 (and counting) that it seems like I was 15 last year, graduating from KigHigh School in Corpus Christi a month ago, marrying my wife, graduating from Dallas Baptist last week; and in my first pastorate, graduating from seminary just yesterday. Literally!!!
Where does the time go?
To be honest….it doesn’t get any easier as the time goes. Not long ago, I was listening to a preaching class conducted by one of my favorite preachers, Dr. William H. Curtis. He stated that, for every pastor, when leaving the pulpit on Sunday, the next Sunday starts in 5 (FIVE) minutes!!! Add to this, he says, funerals, church emergencies, family traumas in the church, weddings, meetings and the life. I tend to agree! This is the life of the Pastor! The challenges are great, but somehow glorious. There seems to be a splendid blend and mixture of the ingredients of both AGONY and ECSTASY!
This week, I look back and reflect on 5 years ago as I was preparing to walk across the stage with a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in biblical languages. I have an itch to pursue my Ph.D. in Leadership in the coming year. I also have a growing desire to buckle down and grow deeply as an expositor of God’s Word. These are pursuits that pull and nudge me for which I ultimately attribute to a divine call that will not let me go. While I feel old, the truth is I feel that God is preparing me for something that is beyond me that will consume the rest of my life. What that is – I do not know. Whether that is an expansion and continuance of the things I am already doing or something completely unconventional and new, I would be satisfied either way. But, my preparation has always been a serious and somber task and pursuit. The challenge deepens and intensifies – as I desire to be a great father, an amazing husband, the consummate leader, an outstanding pastor….not to mention being elected as the President of the congress in my association and Secretary of the Educational Board in my state convention. Oh yes…and I’m a full-time Chaplain in one of the largest and leading hospitals in the city of Houston and the world!
My challenge is this – HOW CAN I DO ALL OF THIS? Is it possible to excel in all of these areas and maintain my sanity? Do I need to give some things up or away? Would it be easier if I had a secretary? Are there any pastors who can provide a remedy to excelling in all of these areas with ease?
Well….as this is my challenge, it is also my intent to tackle the challenge and to make adjustments where necessary. Oh yes….add to this, I would love to blog on a daily basis! Please pray for me as I pray for myself and all pastors, Christians and leaders who seek to discipline themselves in the areas of time and excellence in their respective fields and endeavors. Philippians 4:13 rings clear: we can ‘do all things through Christ’ who gives us the ultimate strength.
What are you thoughts? How are you managing your time?
Kraig Lowell Pullam 