Check Your Gauges

I give a speech to clergy couples called "Check Your Gauges." It pertains to 1 Timothy 4, in which the apostle Paul told Timothy to watch his life (verse 16).  One of the gauges I suggest that pastors stop to check is the physical gauge.  Have you checked yours lately?

When the Lord called you into the ministry as co-laborers with Him, He made an investment in you.  Like parents sending their children off to college, He launched you into a world that would take its toll not only emotionally and spiritually, but physically as well. 

I remember a physician saying that all clergy live high-risk lives.  He helped me to see how pastors live in a world of the urgent, often fail to eat right and rarely get enough rest or exercise — but I knew that.

Then he told me to tell the pastors with whom I meet to be mindful of several things.  First, pastors need to watch their weight.  They shouldn't eat until they're full, he said, and they should never eat another french fry.  (Fat chance, I thought.)  Second, he suggested every pastor should know his cholesterol balance and blood pressure.  Third, every male pastor needs an annual prostate screening exam after his 40th birthday.

He said if pastors can keep these three levels in check, they most likely will have a healthy, productive life and ministry.  Good advice.  I thanked him for his interest in pastors and said I'd do my best to pass along his cautions as I meet with and encourage other clergy.

One more piece of advice: Take a day off — regularly.  Go for walks with your spouse.  Sleep seven or eight hours each night, listen to good music and do not let the sun go down on your anger.  Why?  Because you usually begin a new day the way you ended the last.  End of my sermon.

So, to my dear clergy friend, whom I love in the truth, "I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well" (3 John2)

Don't forget to check your gauges.  And feel free to comment on this or any other post we write.  We enjoy hearing from you.  Were you aware we have a weekly podcast you can access at http://podcast.hblondon.org/?  I just shared this past Monday, on the Seasons of My Life.  Feel free to listen in. 

Comments

[Paul]

Thank you. I hve issues with weight and at times it has hindered my ministry. Thank you for your encouragement.