Summer stress

I know what that title sounds like, summer stress? Isn't summer supposed to be when you relax? Really? How many people pack as much into their summers as possible so that at the end of their vacation they say they need a vacation? Or how about this? Those that are out of a job for the summer and can't collect EI because they were only part time or on a supply list during the school year? Here's the thing. I love summer. I love the heat, the more relaxed clothes like shorts and sandals, I like the relaxed feeling it usually brings with it. but this summer also brings some stress that I am dealing with - lack of full time work, the part time work I do have will shrink, there is no foreseeable sense of employment on the horizon. I have been a pastor for the last almost 6 years now, and have been between ministries in a church capacity since the end of September. I have spoke at times for LIFE, filled in for leading worship at churches, spoke at youth, and of course continued my pastoral ministry of Ask The Pastor every week. 

This is the heart of a pastor... that I struggle with the future as much as anyone else. I have pastoral friends who I talk to and who pray for me and I have done fasting at times to hear God's voice when all I see is a fog spiritually. The message I have right now is "Trust me. Stay the course. Trust me." And yes, even for a guy who has been in the thick of ministry in a church and on the radio when I minister to those who call into the ATP programme or call in during the week for counsel - I can still struggle. 

Proverbs 3:5,6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

So am I trusting Go? Am I submitting to His will? Am I trusting especially when I don't have a clue? That is the challenge for all of us. Pray for me as I pray for you...

Pastor Andrew