When you are a pastor and the world is messy…

A Reminder to Myself:

When you are a pastor and the world is messy,

breathe deep.

You don’t have to solve anything.

You don’t have to find the right words.

Or pray the perfect prayers.

Or preach the most profoundly inspiring sermon.

You don’t have to silence the grief

or find answers to all the questions.

Just breathe.

Stand steady as you can

while storms rage and fires burn and tears fall.

And love wide.

Keep showing up

to bless bread that still tastes like sorrow,

to pour out a cup for the weary,

to hold a hand or a heart

until the silence breaks.

You are not here to fix the world.

You are called to point to the One who is with us in it:

Emmanuel.

Christ beside us,

Christ before us,

Christ who will not let go.

So take a deep breath.

And stand where you are.

The Widest Love is already here.