Deepening Your Ministry Through Prayer and Personal Growth

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There is a balance, a happy medium between wearing out and rusting out. Embracing the work ethic need not mean we never do anything but work.
—Steven L. McKinley

It was a Friday night, 6:15 p.m. I sat in my car waiting for the green arrow so I could turn left into the church parking lot.

A stream of cars heading north paraded past me, away from the city. Many were pulling boats, a clear sign they were headed for a weekend at "the lake." The golf clubs in the backseats of others suggested they were heading for the Friday night league at a nearby golf course. Still other cars were driven by commuters whose faces showed relief. The busy work-week was over. The weekend was here.

Or so I fantasized.

I was heading for a wedding rehearsal, then a rehearsal dinner. I knew I wouldn't see home before 10:00 p.m. Most of my Saturday would be tied up with the wedding and reception. Sunday morning there would be the usual three worship services, then worship at two local nursing homes in the afternoon, and an orientation session for new church members that evening.

As I waited for the light to turn, watching the cars passing me, I felt envious, depressed, maybe even bitter. Everyone else had the weekend free (at least, that's how I imagined it); I had a full weekend of work ahead. I do not hate my work—far from it. The folks getting married were perfectly pleasant; the reception would be at one of our favorite places; Sunday morning worship is a joy; there is satisfaction in worship at the nursing homes; it is always exciting to welcome new members. But it was still work, and I was more in the mood for kicking back. I had already put in a solid week of work, without a day off. And when the next Monday morning rolled around, I would be at my ...

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