Ever heard the phrase 'do not grow weary in well doing"? I think I get what Paul meant when he said it. Cindy and I are members of a local gym. We joined about a month ago and go at least three times a week to workout. We use the weight machines, the treadmills and sweat in ways that just aren't pretty at all. I know, too much information. Back to my story.

In the process of working to tone, trim and strengthen, we have a monthly weigh in and body measure to check our progress. The idea is to help us see that we are making progress toward the goal. Last night was a tough night at weigh in. Inches that should have come down in fat lost, didn't. Inches that should have gone up in muscle mass, didn't. After a month, you would hope to see more progress. And on top of that, I'm physically tired from the effort exerted compared to a lack of results. this is when frustration with the effort sets in and we are positioned to give up.

Life is just like that. We work out on our health, on our marriage, our relationships, our faith. And it seems sometimes like we're just not getting the result we want to see. And we get weary in doing the right things, even when it's for the right reasons. But I think we are focusing too much on the end game and not seeing the immediate changes. Let me explain.

When I first went to the gym, I thought my arms would fall off after a workout. Now within minutes of lifting weights, or running on the treadmill, my muscles are rebounding. The pain and stiffness that lasted for days in the beginning, is gone in minutes. I am building up endurance in my body to move the next level. Strength is growing and change is coming. In fact, it's already there; I just don't see it yet.

Let's keep our eyes and hearts focused both near and far. Near to see the little, almost imperceptible changes and rejoice in them. And far, to keep our eyes on Jesus, who is our goal, our end game.

How are you doing physically? Do your days seem like they never end, and yet there's still more you should have accomplished? Join the club.

In a recent accountability session with other pastors, 4 out of 5 stated that they were worn out. I was one of the 4. Lets face it, we all go too long, too hard, too fast and then we wonder why we're tired? But it's just not pastors. We all do this non stop treadmill life style.

I met with the Pastor's Cabinet on Saturday and they challenged me to do less. Less administrative "stuff" and monitor the amount of time that I spend working each day. I struggled with all of this because everybody knows pastors are superheroes - we can get up at 5AM (yes there are two 5 O'clock's in the day) and do ministry right up to bedtime and it doesn't affect us at all. NOT! 

But if we're honest with ourselves we all have bought into this mindset. "I can keep going and it will be just fine"  we tell ourselves. And we find that people become more annoying, the job is more frustrating  and mundane things that we used to enjoy are now a real chore to complete. Reality is that the people the job and the mundane hasn't changed, we have. We're worn thin and it is taking a toll on us all.

Its time to look at our lives and ask the question, "What are the important, essential, significant things that I must do, and what are the trivial, extra things that just take my time?" For some of us this will be obvious what we need to let go of to get our lives back in balance. For others, you will need to log what you do in a day to see where you are losing time to the unimportant. Whatever it takes, be intentional and do it.

We need to find balance in our lives. Balance for work, play, rest, ministry. Yes ministry. So get some rest; find some balance; refresh your soul.

Only then you can really do a world of good.

In recent weeks I had the privilege of visiting my wife's family again. We hadn't been to Ohio to see them in three years. Time flies entirely too fast some days. It was so good to see the family again and just be together. I used to think of it as spending time together, but now I see it as investing in family. Investing in understanding things about life. Let me explain.

My father in law is a great man and a wonderful dad who is now struggling with Alzheimer’s. He has fought valiantly with it for several years. But now it is at the almost unbearably tough place where he didn’t know us during our visit. I know this was hard on Cindy, my wife. But I really saw the toll it has taken on those who are in the struggle of love for an elder whose health is not what it once was. And it gave me a small undemanding of the life others live on a daily basis.

It helped me see through a small window into the lives of many who continue to love and serve their parents when life takes these tough turns. The day to day stress, worry and concern for those who long for the days when mom & dad were a pillar of strength, and could do anything, fix anything and nothing could stop them. Now, that superhero ability is fading or long gone. For some, they are becoming the parents to serve their parents.  I now understand just a little bit better.

Pray for those who live this struggle of love on a daily basis. Pray for strength, peace of heart and mind. Pray for them as they come to the place of making the tough decisions regarding the best care for their parents. Pray for your own understanding when you encounter them and they seem frazzled, weary and worn.  Ask the Lord to show you what you can do to help. Ask God to give you understanding.

I challenge you to love your family deeply. To invest time in the relationships you have. To cherish the moments that will pass too quickly.  To invest in the things that truly matter most.

I’m flying to Florida to invest some time in my parents in September…  what will you do?