It is a LOT at times!
I will be honest as a leader; it is a lot at times and can be very draining. If I am fully transparent, it is easy to fall into moments of discouragement as you lead people. Why is that? Simply put, because people are messy. It can be even more disheartening as a Pastor, Church leader, or a spiritual mentor in someone’s life as we have those we lead seek us for spiritual health, marital health, financial health, and parenting health. All while helping them meet friends, keep them entertained, fed, and not taking up too much of their time. I feel a little overwhelmed, just writing that. Now I know that Jesus is the only answer to the health in our lives, and as leaders, our job is solely to help bring wisdom and direction in matters relevant to where people are and point them to Jesus.
However, the draining and burnout do not occur in those moments because I love to see people progress into who they are supposed to be. The moments I feel drained are found when I pour so much into someone just to have them walk away. I have found as a Pastor that many times when someone’s life is spinning out of control, they are desperate for me to speak into them and desperately want to be faithful with their spiritual disciplines. Yet when life settles back down, the leader is not needed, and attending Church is no longer a priority.
Let me be clear this is not a pity party post for leaders because we are about to get to the real reason for our frustration. The real issue behind my frustration is that I have unrealistic expectations for people. Why would I expect people to treat me differently than how we as people treat God? Honestly, think about this. Don’t we desperately pray to God and passionately pursue God when we need a miracle? Isn’t in the moments when we are desperate for a change that we are always beating on the door of heaven? Yet when life is coasting okay, are we not quick to put God on our lives’ back burner? Am I only one that notices that?
Now with that in our thought process, how does God respond toward us when we ignore Him? He longingly desires us to come back home! He does not grow in frustration and bitterness towards us, but His heart grieves for us to step back into His presence. Luke really paints the picture of Jesus’ heart here in Luke 19:41, “But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep.” I want you to picture this Jesus was weeping over the people in Jerusalem who did not follow Him as a disciple and He is weeping over the very people who would shortly crucify Him! He is not weeping over the faithful, but the unfaithful, the unrepentant, those that are from perfect. Oh God, I pray that I have a heart like you, and I pray that I see people the way you do!
I was just telling our staff that we must remember the true responsibility of a disciple. Our mission is to disciple people so they can grow into who God created them to be, and if that is the truth, which we know it is, then that means we are mentoring people that still need to grow spiritually. This means they will make mistakes, be undisciplined at times, and disappoint us, but our response is so crucial for their future. No, we are not pushovers. However, we can’t be people who quickly get angry, frustrated, and dismissive, but we must take on the nature of Jesus, who had compassion!
‘When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”’ Matthew 9:36-38
It is easy to only disciple people who are easy and then dismiss everyone else, but that is like a Doctor saying I only want to see healthy patients. We are called to lead people to health, and sometimes that gets messy, and I feel like God is praying for workers that are willing to get messy!
The harvest is great, but the disciples with compassion are few.
Thanks for reading!
Let me know your thoughts on what causes you to feel drained in the comments below. I would love to hear from you!
19 Comments
Kay · August 12, 2020 at 12:08 pm
The joy of the Lord is our strength and
as we continue to give him praise and
glory with thanksgiving. Though we have trials all will be well.
Put our trust in him and do not watch
News! I believe our church is following
Gods Leading keep it up ??
Pastor Mike · August 12, 2020 at 1:04 pm
Thank you and Amen there is so much joy in God!
Mel · August 12, 2020 at 2:47 pm
So good! I’m so glad you shared this. Honored to get to be do this with through all the highs and the lows!
Pastor Mike · August 12, 2020 at 7:39 pm
I wouldn’t want to do it without you!
Joyce Schroeder · August 12, 2020 at 4:36 pm
Thank you for this message. I’ve often wondered how you stand under the weight of your calling? (But God!)
Praying for blessings and strength for you and your family. ❤
Pastor Mike · August 12, 2020 at 7:39 pm
The Holy Spirit is so good! Thank you for your prayers!
Cathy Yeager · August 12, 2020 at 6:22 pm
This is so good. If only they could truly experience and hold Him tight in both UPS and downs. Help me God to always hold you close to my chest. Prayers and support for you Pastor Mike. We hold you, your family and all our Bloom leaders up in prayer daily. Gods supernatural rest and encouragement in your life.
So proud to serve with you.
Pastor Mike · August 12, 2020 at 7:38 pm
Amen! My deepest prayer is that people encounter Jesus in a relational way!
Ron Huffey · August 12, 2020 at 6:39 pm
Thank you pastor Mike For being there for us as our leader I know some days it is a lot at times but I am thankful God has put you as our shepherd. God bless you and your family hope you have a wonderful day
Pastor Mike · August 12, 2020 at 7:37 pm
Ron thank you for your kind words and I am honored to be your Pastor!
Ernie · August 12, 2020 at 7:05 pm
This is great. This is one of the hardest things I learned in ministry! Well said!
Pastor Mike · August 12, 2020 at 7:35 pm
Thanks brother and I am sure you can relate!
Todd · August 12, 2020 at 8:51 pm
“He is not weeping over the faithful, but the unfaithful…” Such a beautiful picture of the heart of Jesus for lost people. Thank you for sharing pastor! This brought compassion to the forefront of my day, where it needed to be all along. Great grace to you and the Bloom family today!
Marlene · August 13, 2020 at 12:12 am
I have been in the Old Testament for months as I’m reading the Bible chronologically this year. I often get frustrated with Israelites and their constant worshipping of idols, etc. after all that God did for them, bringing them out of Egypt. I can’t believe how many times HE forgave them. Then that still small voice reminds me how often HE forgives me. Wow!
Pastor Mike · August 25, 2020 at 4:52 pm
Amen I feel the same way LOL
Cheryl · August 13, 2020 at 8:23 pm
God has placed me in a line of work that, too, can be very draining emotionally, mentally, and even to the point of being physically draining due to the latter. As a professional, we are trained to focus on the successes of the people we serve and not those that turn away from our help. For me personally; being filled to overflowing spiritually helps greatly. But my heart still mourns (weeps). When all is said and done, I have to trust that maybe I planted a seed, or watered a seed, or pulled a weed from choking the seed, or maybe I cultivated the soil to prepare for the seed to be planted by someone else. HE knows our labor and our hearts.
Surrounding myself with a circle of godly women striving for the same goal of growing closer to Him everyday, is invaluable. Allowing others we trust to share our burdens is scriptural (Galatians 6:2). Mike, Tyler, Matt, Mel, Amber, Sarah… (oh my… the amazing staff goes on and on.) keep up the great work. Fight the good fight. Take heart! HE has overcome the world. HIS burdens are light. HE has Bloom in the palm of HIS hand. Rest there! Love you, family!!
Pastor Mike · August 25, 2020 at 4:53 pm
I am so glad you are surrounding yourself with life-giving people championing you to be who God has called you to be!
Aloha · August 14, 2020 at 2:43 pm
As a pastor’s daughter, I witnessed my father’s same frustrations, but early in his ministry, he learned the same thing and was quick to teach his family to lean hard on the Lord for our strength in and through all the different life situations.
I’m so thankful for all the promises God gave us through His Word. I truly heavily upon the exhortation in Luke 9:23, “Then He said to them all: “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.” The Lord has been teaching me that anything that causes “cross-hairs” with the Scripture in Phil. 4:8, “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things,” those thoughts or situations are my cross, and I’m to surrender it to the One who gives me the strength to submit it to Him, and then ask Him to help my light shine in this lost and dying world. That is my heart’s desire, to let my light so shine before men that they will see my good works and glorify my Father who is in Heaven.
Thank you, Pastor Mike, for sharing. It was a good word. You, Amanda, & our church family are in my prayers! Praise the Lord that greater is He that is within me, than he that is in the world!
Pastor Mike · August 25, 2020 at 4:52 pm
Aloha I hope you know how much I love you and I am praying for you every day! Thank you for your prayers and encouragement!