Yes, the frequency of new posts has slowed down quite a bit lately. Frankly, I’ve been gasping for air.
Some of this gasping is self-inflicted. I like to keep my plate full and run as fast as possible. Unfortunately, that doesn’t leave much capacity when the unexpected happens. Preparing materials for a second chair seminar this week, coaching two teams (the curse of overlapping basketball and softball seasons!), and some extra consulting and coaching are causing me to gasp right now.
Some of it is externally-driven. None of us, especially in the second chair, has complete control over our priorities and schedules. In this season, my first chair has become much more involved in the day-to-day and in reshaping priorities for all of the staff, and it’s consuming tremendous amounts of time and energy.
So what do I do in these seasons? I try to be sure and keep my early morning prayer time. In an earlier stage of life, that would have been the first thing to go, but I’ve learned how much I need that time with God. This week I’m giving thanks for a wife and family who extend grace to me when I get too busy for them. And I’m praying for my senior pastor, because God has helped me realize that his current actions are the result of a heavy burden that he is carrying.
I am also being much more careful with my calendar, trying to make time for the truly important things, and postponing those that can wait. When life is busy, I tend to crank up my pace, which has the downside of my being impatient or of people feeling like I have run over them. I’m trying to be careful about this. And in the midst of it all, I’m making sure that there is still some time for the things that help me relax – like watching some of the Winter Olympics or getting out for my regular pick-up basketball game.
I’ve prayed for this second chair community this week, because there’s been a sense that we’re all gasping lately. Likewise, I covet your prayers in this season.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Welcome to the Second Chair Community! Won't you join us in the conversation of what "Leading from the Second Chair" looks like, from your perspective?
3 comments:
I appreciate your candid blog. I have been struck with a similiar season recently and the need to stay connected to the Vine. I have been pondering the need to serve and live out of an overflow instead of a dried up well. I have a tendency to use up whatever reserves I have instead of streams of living water flowing from me (John 7:37-38). I don't know about you guys, but in my honest moments, my life is more like a dried up creek than an overflowing river. How important it is to get some face time with the Father like you mentioned.
Divad - thanks for praying for us all today. God is at work and it is in these seasons and storms that we learn to depend on Him. It is also in these times that we see just how empty we are and how much we really need Him.
Know that the enemy hates you and is trying to steal, kill, and destroy. He will try to reak havoc on your family, your team, families in your church, the guy or girl you all are close to reaching for the kingdom, etc. No one is off limits, so know that you are being hunted.
In the meantime, know that the battle is spiritual and that it is taking place in the spiritual realm. Go to your knees and ask God to open your spiritual eyes to the attack of the enemy. Put on the full armor of God so that after the evil one has thrown his darts and spears and all, you will be able to stand.
It has been a tough season for us all and I believe that this is no conincidence. But I also know, as you all do, that our God is so much greater than He that is in the world. Neither height, nor dept, nor angels nor demons. . . can seperate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.
That is the good news!
We covet your prayers for our first ever Leading from the Second Chair conference in Springfield, Missouri on Thursday. We will be traveling from Houston to Springfield tomorrow (3/1) and are asking for great traveling mercies. Also, we are both quite tired, as Mike has already noted, but we want to minister out of the overflow to the 50 or so 2nd Chairs that are assembled. Won't you continue to lift us up? We really need it! We want to invest, train, equip, challenge, and support these great leaders who are doing the work of the Kingdom. We pray for breakthrough type experiences, knowing we have been led to this place.
Pray for Jay, as he is our gracious host, and I know he has plenty to do without hosting this conference.
Thanks for the community. It is good to share with you all.
Roger P
ain't life grand?
I'd just repeat the great insights already spoken, so I'll just add my amen and prayers.
Jay, Roger, Mike...have fun this weekend. I'll see you in Atlanta, and then hopefully Tallahassee in the fall!
Post a Comment