Health and the Ministry

I don't know about you, but I'm not sure if those serving in the ministry put a priority on their physical health. Health is crucial to the longevity of ministry. My prayer is that I will continue to take care of what God has given me and serve. I am guilty of coming home only to sit and lounge around. I realized my direction is leading to me a destination of being out of shape, overweight and stressed!

What I have been convicted about lately is the lack of teaching and help for people in the church to take care of their bodies! Why do I say this? Have you been to a church dinner lately? Health is usually not the first item on the agenda! I am not saying it does not taste good, but usually it is not that good for you!  What the church needs is encouragement to live to the fullest in all ways.

What I'm not saying is that we all need to be "health nuts" and begin to judge people who do not share our personal opinion on what foods are healthy or not. I believe that as ministers, we should be examples to others in how we eat and exercise. Exercise is not a set practice but whatever a person can do to maintain health in their body and mind.

If I continually eat junk food, fatty foods and lay on the couch each day I will become a lazy, unhealthy person. This would affect not only my life but those that I minister too. I might be going "out on a limb" on this but I would say that one of the crucial issues that is overlooked is taking care of our health. I usually eat the wrong foods (junk food, etc) when I am stressed or tired. I have to discipline myself to fill my body with the right food. America is at an all-time high on taking medication. If we are sick, we medicate. Medication can be helpful in the process but God has given us wisdom and practical logic to learn to take care of our bodies. My desire is to be healthy so I can be a better husband, minister, father (one day), and follower of Christ.

"Listen, my son, and be wise, and set your heart on the right path: ²⁰ Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, ²¹ for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags." Proverbs 23:19-20

"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple." 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

Health is a Lifestyle

Over the past 3 years, my health has been all over the place. No, I haven't "let myself go" too much and gained a lot of weight, but I have lost sight of what it means to be healthy. Over the past 3 weeks I have returned to the gym to run, bike and lift weights. Health is a lifestyle. I'm learning this more and more as I am getting older. It is much more than a diet, or counting calories or even exercise.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

Food: I love eating junk food. Over the past year I have tried to cut out a lot of coke, cookies, candy and other wonderful tasting food! One reason I have started replacing junk food is because of how it started to affect my health and fitness. I have learned that simply drinking more water and eating protein enriched foods help me feel better. One reason I have begun taking my health more seriously is due to being diagnosed with crohn's disease. Food plays a big role in how we feel whether the doctors tell us they do or not! I have had doctors tell me that I could eat whatever I want! Not really good advice there doc!

Exercise: If we are honest, most people do not exercise. I have made a commitment to workout (run, bike, weights) every week because I want to be in good health. I realized how quickly I lost my desire to exercise when the "busyness" of being in full-time ministry begun. Exercise is a conscious decision to do it even when we do not feel like it. It has been a blast to go and workout with my wife! We have committed together to encourage each other to go to the gym and push ourselves to be in good health. The goal is overall health, not to be overly indulged in drawing attention to self (like some of the "steroid guys" in the gym).

Mental Health: Stress definitely does not help improve our health! For those out there that are in the ministry, you know that stress is an ongoing struggle to manage. To be honest, this is an area of my life I struggle. I tend to "over-think" situations and it leads to stress and worry. I have begun to journal again on a regular basis. Journaling creates an opportunity to lay out my heart to God. I have found that I must continually surrender my finances, desires, struggles and prayers to God. The key is continually!

"A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones." Proverbs 14:30 (NLT).

^"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT)

Health is important because our mission on earth is important! To glorify God with our lives and help others come to know Christ!

Legacy: Faithful to the call of God

 

Legacy is a word that I do not usually hear on a regular basis. As I talk with students, the words I usually hear is 'abandonment, divorce, cheating, abuse, and pain.' What is going to be the result of a generation that is basically over 40% of students do not have a Father in their life? Many say that it will be catastrophic. I believe that through the grace of Christ we can see students who have not seen a legacy of faith in God overcome it! I am already encouraged by stories of students learning to love their parents despite the pain and pray for their salvation. That is a legacy in the making!

[gallery order="DESC" columns="2"] My father has already shown me what it means to be faithful to the call of God. He raised me and my three brothers, Jeff, Jordan and Justin to be focused upon the gospel of Christ. Many times growing up I was frustrated at why being a pastor's son was so difficult. We had expectations from people in the church that were hard to live up too. I remember telling myself I would not want to be in the ministry due to dealing with mean people within the church. The ironic part is that I'm serving in the ministry! God has a great sense of humor. What I learned from My Dad (and continue too) that "success" is not about being a well-known speaker, writer or pastor. It is being faithful to loving people enough to share the life changing gospel of Christ. My Dad has a living legacy that has impacted a multitude of people. He has been faithful in the little things! - Sharing the gospel outside of church (and sermons) - Being faithful to my Mom - Walking the talk - Investing in his family (integrity - children will know if you are the real deal or not).

I'm grateful for my Father's ongoing encouragement to me. I realize that I'm blessed beyond what I deserve. The legacy that he has shown me is a direct result of the life changing love of Christ.