I love being a pastor. But there are days that I don’t want to be a pastor anymore. Soulwork is hard work. Raising a family is hard work. Lives and marriages and young people and God’s dream for their lives weighs heavy some days. And my life is already heavy some days. The days that my life is light and pastoring is heavy are manageable and the days that pastoring is light and my life is heavy are manageable, but it’s those doubled-up, when it rains it pours days that get me.
The day that Carsyn cries because she doesn’t want to go shopping with anyone but Tiffanni for private things and someone leaves the church because, well, who knows, because they didn’t tell anyone- those days are a lot.
And the day that Tiffanni’s medicine doesn’t cooperate and she calls me a dozen times to ask the same question and to tell me that there are ants in the house everywhere, yet no one else sees them and I find out that a couple in the church is getting a divorce- those days are a lot.
And the days that I didn’t sleep the night before because one of the kids is sick and I don’t have anyone to split parent duty with while I clean sheets and floors, and give medicine every 4 hours, and check temps and hold back hair over a toilet and I have to preach a sermon that refuses to come out with any clarity because all of the clarity was spent on sanity- those days are a lot.
When heavy days outnumber light days, God’s voice and assurance gets lost in the weight.
About a year after Tiffanni was diagnosed, the adrenaline rush of “I can do this” had worn off, I didn’t want to pastor anymore. Everything was too much. I began to think through other options, those options where I could support my family and leave work at the office. Check out when I wasn’t at work. I don’t think I’ve ever heard God speak to my heart the way that he did in that season. One day in prayer, or maybe it wasn’t prayer since it was an overwhelmed season. Maybe I was making school lunches or something menial which makes much more sense. I felt like I heard God impress upon me,
“Jeremy, the church needs you. I want you to give her the grace and the space to live a difficult life with a certainty that I won’t leave. I need you to speak honestly and authentically about how you feel. That you have doubts about faith, and church, and healing, and me. And those doubts can’t sabotage faith or dead end hope. The church, especially the Pentecostal church, needs to hear about grief and loss. They need to stop pretending that things will get better because they believe it hard enough. That I am a healer and I am a sustainer, and sometimes only one at a time. But never simply because they want me to be badly enough. I need your voice, your posture, your failure, and your hope.”
And then I heard,
“Jeremy, you need the church. I’m not coming to live with you, to help you, to defend you, to uplift you, to heal you- that’s the job of my church. And if you don’t let the church do that, then you’ve left me no options. My church is strong and resilient. She functions best when she realizes a clear mission and you and your family are part of that. Let me love you and take care of you through my church. I have given you to the church, now let me give the church to you. She will be my hands and heart. She will love you the way that I love you.”
And with that, I rededicated my life to the church. Heavy days and light days. I have seen her at her best. The way that she has loved me and my family is the strength of my faith. I have felt, sensed, and experienced a tangible Jesus because she has shared my burden.
I love being a pastor. God saved me and asked me to be a pastor, and he saved me by allowing me to be a pastor, and he saves me while I pastor. I love his body and his body loves me and Jesus loves me inside of this beautiful, mysterious give and take. This I know.
I am a pastor. My work has to do with God and souls—immense mysteries that no one has ever seen at any time. But I carry out this work in conditions—place and time—that I see and measure wherever I find myself, whatever time it is. There is no avoiding the conditions. I want to be mindful of the conditions. I want to be as mindful of the conditions as I am of the holy mysteries. – Eugene Peterson
14 Comments for “The Pastor”
Mark Sims
says:I say a big Amen.
Steve Austin
says:I probably say this every time, but this is one of my new favorites. So honest. And so needed.
I’m so glad you’re a pastor. I don’t know of anyone who does it better. Seriously.
Love you dude,
Steve
Sharon
says:Wow! Amen Jeremy, continue to be His vessel on this journey! He has you under His wing.
Betty Shubert
says:Thank you for your honesty. You would not be human if you did not have these feelings. Life gets overwhelming to every one of us at times. I imagine Pastors more than the average, because you feel you need to “help” everybody. Some things are never understood this side of heaven. I truly am sorry that you have to parent alone, that your children do not have the “typical” mom, but God has given you a great support group in your church, God chose you for a youth pastor in this particular church. I firmly believe you are where God means you to be.
You are doing an awesome job juggling your many roles.
Praying for you and yours
Mark Frey
says:Painful to hear, because I know every word is true. We love you buddy and God is using you to demonstrate His unyielding love for His church. You are making a difference for my boys just like you are making a difference in your family. Thank you for challenging me to be more like Him.
Mark
Marie Hartley
says:There was a time in my life, when my husband died in a plane crash, and left me with 4 kids to finish raising all by myself, that I fussed at God, and was So angry at Him! But, He has been with me all the way! I learned to fully trust Him!
Susan Bethea
says:Ok, so this one is my favorite. Because. I related to it. Not all but some so I thank you that it ministered to me. Love you and Tiffany.
Rob Gamache
says:Wow!
So much to reflect upon.
Could I bring a pizza to your office one day?
Jeremy Sims
says:I would only eat it if you shared it with me. (Not really, but I would rather)
Charles and Lou McCullough
says:So glad you stayed with the church. We love and appreciate you so much! Charles and I are praying for you and your family.
Lori Davis
says:Man! Jeremey I can’t tell you how your stories touch me. Thank you for being our pastor 😊
Karley Chamblee
says:I have a vivid memory of you telling me and several others at Epoch to “trust the process” (although I’m sure you have said that several times), and that was the first time a pastor and mentor had said that to me in such a simple yet profound way. That has stuck with me.
I cherish my time at Epoch, and will especially remember how you pour your heart into those in need of encouragement, affirmation, and direction. Thank you for that. And a thank you to the church for comforting and being with you and your family.
-Karlito
Judy Smith
says:Jeremy, each time I read some of your writings, I first think “this is unfair” or “what did Jeremy ever do to deserve this struggle;” but then I’m reminded that God chooses those to whom He allows to bear loads. He chooses those who will continue to walk victoriously as they continue to serve Him and family members who need your attention.
Candice Higdon
says:Man. Jeremy. I am reading this a few days late but with tears streaming down my face. Because I relate so much. The church is…amazing…. there’s a better word somewhere but I can’t find it. Your words are a reminder that we are all in this together for each other…. for Him! For His glory! Thank you so much for being so transparent and thank you for caring and staying.