Friday, February 10, 2006

When your chair cushion is worn out!!!

So here are my thoughts on all that we have been collectively enjoying this week. I believe that we in the second chair community have been hit pretty hard this week, and Sunday isn't even here yet! How about you?

So, what can we do when the chair cushion is worn out? How do we get it fluffy and comfortable again? Is that the right question to ask anyway.

I know this much. We can run to our Father for He knows what we need before we even ask of Him (Mt. 6:8). That is what I am going to do. May God bless you today as you lead from the second chair.

2 comments:

Clayton and Kelly said...

A vibrant, personal, growing, interactive relationship with the God of the universe, the love of a good woman (or man, preferrably a spouse either one!), and a day off always help me.

Other than that, talking though things with you all certainly helps. Perspective, perspective, perspective...

Mike Bonem said...

Sure, the second chair (at my church) can be a pretty uncomfortable seat at times. There are days when I wake up, and almost immediately I can feel the beginning of an adrenaline surge because I have so much to do or because I know that a difficult conversation awaits me. On those days especially, I try to spend time with the Lord, letting Him reassure me that He is not going to give me more than I can bear, and that He will be with me through whatever storms I encounter.

I also try to remember that this is not the only chair that I sit in. I try to be intentional about finding outlets and spending time away from the church. (Just the other night, when there was so much conversation on this blog, I had come home exhausted and decided that I was not going to even turn my computer on.) Of course, being a husband and father is at the top of the list of other “chairs,” and for me that’s usually very rewarding and refreshing. (Thank you, Lord, for a wonderful wife and for the joys that each of my children bring!) And while there is not a lot of extra time in the week for personal pursuits, I find that running, playing a weekly game of basketball, reading (for pleaure, not for work), and coaching whatever sport is in season are all great breaks from a demanding chair.

A couple of years ago, I was visiting with another second chair leader, and asked how I could pray for him. His answer was immediate: “Balance. In the hectic pace of this place, I need to be sure that I find and maintain balance in my life.” That’s been a helpful reminder for me, and has helped me to step away and keep things in perspective.

At the end of the day, Psalm 62 (which Marie mentioned) speaks to my heart. Verse 5 simply says, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; My hope comes from Him.”