As this year comes to a close, I'm reflecting on the lessons God has been teaching me through this year. Our family has not only navigated a quarantine and the toilet paper shortage, but my wife has been battling a non-COVID illness and my daughter has entered her senior year of high school. Here are a few ministry realities of which God has reminded me throughout 2020.
- You can impress a lot of people; you can only impact a few.
Not only was it important that I observe quarantine, but it was also necessary. My wife's immune system was majorly suppressed. I spent my time going in and out of doctors' offices where they asked if I was in contact with anyone with COVID. I needed to be extra careful.
Early in my ministry I attended a Sonlife discipleship training. An idea from the training has been foundational in my ministry. It is this concept: Jesus impressed large crowds; he invited twelve, but he consistently took three (Peter, James and John) on special assignments. COVID has reminded me that my closest circle of teenagers... are the ones living in my house! I need to serve them at the same energy level as I would serve other people's teenagers.
- I can be as creative with my family gatherings as I am with my ministry gatherings.
This was a tough one for me. I spent all of my creativity and ideas on people outside of my family, so that when it came to our family time together, I was done. I had nothing left to give. When she is healthy, my wife, Karen, is an incredible organizer, and I was perfectly happy to let her put family events together so I could relax.
COVID forced me to ask myself: "What would I do for other people's kids in a summer when everything was cancelled?" I felt pressure to create fun by preparing and getting ready for ministry events, but I didn't want anything to do with the planning and preparation of family gatherings? What was wrong with me!?
Both quarantine and Karen's illness forced me to put priority on creating fun in my family. This was a big shift. I actually felt guilty!
- Rest is a priority for God.
If you're reading this as it's posted, it's safe to say that you're reading this on "work time!" This post is dropping before Christmas - intentionally - to encourage you that it's in God's TEN Commandments to practice Sabbath. There is another fascinating concept in Leviticus 25 about "The Year of Jubilee." Without getting into the specific theology, it's apparent that rest is holy to God. It's not simply escaping from your problems on your day off.
Living with extroverted teens during quarantine, I've also found that rest is a learned discipline. I see their desire for adventure and their inner motivation to GO. This year has been filled with intentional slowing. Along the journey, we've been learning as a family that slowing our pace can be sacred and holy if we approach it correctly.
This year, God has reminded me over and over that impact is eternal, my closest relationships deserve the same energy I put into my job, and rest is necessary. What have you learned through 2020? I'd love to hear! Although, to be honest, I won't hear until after I get back into the office on January 4, 2021!