Showing up

Dear pastor

Have you ever received a “perfect attendance” award?

Have you ever given one?

These definitely seem to be things of the past, but there is a lesson to be learned from this practice of yesteryear.

The reason that these awards were created and distributed in the first place is because we know that there is tremendous value in showing up.

One of the most impactful ministries of all is the ministry of presence.

This is why Jesus was incarnated and came to earth.

It is difficult to express in words how valuable showing up really is.

We are reminded of it however, when we are stood up for an appointment or the flight is cancelled or we feel all alone and like no one sees us. We just don’t want to be sitting alone and wondering why no one else showed up.

Often as pastors we place on ourselves the unbearable weight of ALWAYS needing to do the right thing or say the right thing or have the right plan in place. We wouldn’t necessarily call it “perfectionism” but these weighty self-expectations seem to replace presence with performance.

May you and I be reminded today that by showing up to church, by showing up in people’s lives, God can do wonderful things through us.

I often remind myself that I don’t even have to figure out ahead of time all the “perfect” words that I will say but instead I can rely on the Holy Spirit who will give me the words and will speak through me if I show up and avail myself to Him (Matt 10:20)

So please, this week, find rest and peace in the knowledge that by showing up to be with your family, by showing up to listen to people, by showing up to speak God’s words and share love and compassion, God can and will use your presence and your availability.

I pray that God will lift the self-imposed burden of performance off our shoulders and replace it with the beautiful realization that we have the privilege of being together with people and the Holy Spirit and that as we all just “show up” God can cause beautiful things to happen!