Time for a Reset?

Matt. 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Many pastors look forward to the breather between Christmas and the New Year. But then it slips away too fast! I hope you have been able to rest and refresh in Christ this past week. If not, why not call a time out and let your heart reset with Jesus?

The challenge of January is that all the activities that began in September come roaring back. But they bring new friends with them! The pressure both exhilarates and overwhelms. Before you reengage, I encourage you to make sure that Immanuel: the God who came to be with us so we can be with him does not get left behind.

Whether they are runners, wrestlers or basketball players; just before play begins, athletes reset their footing. They make sure their stance is strong and their balance is good. They are ready for action. If they fail to do this, they end up getting behind or burned until the next opportunity to regain their footing.

In the same way, I believe we don’t put God first because we forget that OUR work rests on HIS.

Before the green flag drops for 2022, I invite you to double check your spiritual footing. You likely have your own approach already. If not consider starting with a Matthew 6:33 reset.

Reset Your Heart by intentionally Putting God First. Give priority space to His rule and righteousness in your life. It doesn’t have to take long, but it does take an intentional choice. I’m not talking about a 6 month sabbatical, but a key sabbath rhythm from a repeated daily priority choice. This will allow you to see the whole floor of your ministry game from His perspective.

Here are a couple of suggestions to help:

First, reset your heart with priority trust in God’s care, power & purpose for you. Faith is where our hearts meet His powerful grace. This is our solid ground! We serve not to gain grace but because we have been graced!

I once heard someone say that “we don’t pray because we don’t believe we need God’s help” In the same way I believe we don’t put God first because we forget that OUR work rests on HIS. In other words we don’t trust Him with the limits & gaps in our capacity. We need a habit of choosing to remember this core truth!

Anchoring our soul to His with deepening faith allows us to serve with hearts that are secure and grounded in Jesus! When I remember this, it sets me free from the expectations of others and the darker motives of my flesh!

Matt. 11:28   “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Then, Reset your life through priority time with God to grow deeper with Him and discern His priorities for your life. This is where we review His playbook and our tape with Holy Spirit coaching. We let Him speak to us about the “game time” adjustments that are needed. Too often we get too busy for this crucial conversations with our Shepherd. If that happens, we get off track in our calling and lose His eternal, kingdom perspective. committing to daily priority time with God is foundational to following His lead in our ministry journey.

These simple resets are key to intentionally aligning all our relationships and activities to His Kingdom. 2022 is almost here. Game time is coming. God has a purpose for you. If you keep your footing in Him, you will experience life and ministry the way He intends. I’m excited to see the Kingdom impact He is going to make through you.