A Pastor's Wife has a Full Life
Recently, I had the opportunity to attend a Pastor's Convention with my husband, but I almost didn't go because I was too tired.
If I hadn't of gone, I would've missed out on receiving something very precious from the Lord. Ever been there? When you don't have enough gas in the tank? And you can't go one more mile?
About a week before we were scheduled to leave for this convention, I had held a ladies luncheon and hosted the guest speaker and her husband at our home. As you can imagine, a lot of prep work went into hosting both the ladies meeting and the guest speaker and her husband at our home.
Easter was the following weekend. Yup, the day before we were set to leave for the pastor's convention.
My husband's family came in from out of town, and yup, we hosted them at our home and held the Easter meal after service, after running the Easter service.
In between those two events, I worked my full-time job, and ran the Wednesday Night Prayer Service with my husband.
Did you follow all of that?! My head is spinning from remembering everything we did within one week! I'm sure other Christian women, especially pastor's wives, can relate with this scenario.
After all of our guests on Easter, I turned to my husband and said, "I don't think I will be going to the Pastor's Convention with you tomorrow. I'm just too tired." And he totally understood.
My Bags Were Packed in a Hurry
However, the next morning as I was getting ready for work, the Lord made it clear to me that I was to go to the convention with my husband. "Go, and receive of me," He said.
Receiving those words from the Lord put me into action. I jumped into the shower, then I texted my husband and said, "I'm going."
It didn't take me long to pack and amazingly, I was ready to leave when my husband wanted to leave.
The pastor's convention is a very popular bi-annual event in our fellowship and many people anticipate this event. A variety of pastors, missionaries and ministers from all around the world are given opportunities to speak, share updates on their ministries, and give an onward vision for the fellowship.
There are a series of six services over a three day period and my husband was due to be a song leader for two of the services. So it was nice I could go and support him.
By the end of the fourth service on the second day, I was completely zapped of strength, but not wanting to expose my fading good attitude, and happy countenance, I thought it best I leave right before the service ended and head back to our room.
As the service appeared to be closing, I felt it was time for me to scoot out, so I grabbed my purse and headed to our room which was located within the same building. Once inside our room, I couldn't get my dress off fast enough! I flung it on a chair and climbed my weary body into bed, nylons, slip and all.
Falling in and out of sleep for over an hour, I drowsily wondered where my husband was.
Too Tired to Participate
Later I learned that the Lord had begun to move in a very special way, unlike anyone has seen in twenty years. Prayer and prophecies had gone forth for an hour and many people were touched by the Lord, and I missed it, because I was in bed.
This realization hit me hard, and I wondered why this had to happen?? Didn't the Lord say, "Go, and receive of me?" Well, I'm here! But I'm too tired to be in there!
Spent and exhausted from leading the life of a pastor's wife.
Not wanting to come because I was too tired.
Being told to "Go" by the Lord.
Now missing out on what the Lord probably had for me... was too much.
The next day did bring new hope and I attended the morning service with a heart of acceptance. Yes, I missed out on what might have been a great experience with the Lord the day before, but the convention wasn't over yet.
By the beginning of the last service on the last day, I started to notice all the pastors and missionaries in attendance were also looking weary and tired.
"How come people in ministry are so tired and drained? Aren't we serving the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, from where all of our strength comes from?
Then why are we so tired? So spent?"
Rest to Be Your Best
Just then, the Lord quickened to me the parable of the 10 Virgins and I instantly knew what the Lord was referring too.
Only 5 of the virgins were prepared with oil for their lamps, and only those 5 virgins were able to go with the Bridegroom when He came for them.
Standing and singing during the song service, I lifted my hands in praise and worship.
Suddenly my arms and body became a vessel and the Lord poured forth his spirit into me.
The thought of the 5 virgins who were prepared with oil came to mind, and I realized:
We need to be a vessel not only filled with His anointing oil...
But rested and refreshed to have the strength to carry that anointing oil.
Upon a deeper look at the parable, we notice that all 10 of the virgins gathered to meet the Bridegroom when he came, but he tarried, and because he was taking a long time, they decided to rest.
When the Bridegroom did come for them, only 5 of them were rested and prepared with oil in their lamps. They are considered the wise virgins, and only those 5 wise virgins were able to go with the Bridegroom.
The other 5 virgins were rested but were NOT prepared with oil for their lamps, therefore they could not go with the Bridegroom.
This amazed me and I couldn't believe what was being revealed to me in that moment.
The Lord was telling me to "Rest". Plain as day. And obviously, I needed to attend this convention for Him to reveal that to me.
This is why I came.
This is why He told me to "Go, and receive of me."
This has changed my whole perspective on how I fill my days.
We MUST be rested AND filled with the oil of anointing in order to do our best service for our Lord.
Set Aside a Day to Rest
Our bodies are vulnerable and we need rest. We need time to recover from the fast paced world we live in, and reflect back on our days. The Lord knew this, and in His foreknowledge designated a day for rest and made it holy.
Commit to pulling away from the craziness of life and find time to quiet yourself.
Give yourself permission to be still for a little while.
Then, after you have rested, open your Bible and read the Proverbs of the day, or a chapter in the book of Psalms. See if the Lord might refresh you with his presence and fill you with the oil of anointing to minister and function in His holy name.
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Mark 6:30-31 (NIV)
"The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Let's Pray Together
Father in Heaven, thank you for Your Spirit that reveals all things, and thank you for revealing this truth about rest. As Christian women seeking to please You with our lives, we want to commit afresh to becoming more mindful of sitting still and being quiet. Will You help us remember to rest when we should? We get so busy and think things are more important than refreshing ourselves. Help us remember to take time to refresh our heart, soul, and mind, so we can become better people and bring You glory.
As we lift our hands in praise and worship to You, the King of Kings, we pray that You would fill us with Your oil of anointing and help us be kind, loving, gentle servants to everyone we meet, and in everything we do.
In Your precious name,
Amen.
Read more prayers HERE, and while you pray, trust the Lord to help you overcome bad habits that hold you back from living for Him.
Blessings ~
Angie
The Founder
of My Sun & Shade
