I like Mondays. Usually. It’s a day to regroup after the weekend, when you’ve given everything you’ve got for the people who are sitting in front of you. You put your energy, time and passion into sharing what God puts on your heart, and when it’s over, you feel like you’ve been used up. So, Mondays are good days to recharge.
I like to spend Monday by myself, stay quiet, leave the music off, and do some small stuff around the house. Today there’s a nice fire in the stove, a new exterior light now in place, and some doors to fix.
Some church leaders hate Mondays. I used to. Sometimes Monday is the day pastors write a resignation letter, tear it up and then go on with what God has called them to do. Monday’s can be a very ‘down’ time, because you’re tired and before your strength level is topped up, discouragement can settle in. The devil whispers to many church leaders on Mondays:
- That message was one of the worst you’ve ever preached.
- You didn’t speak to Mrs. _______, so now you’re going to pay for it.
- Someone didn’t like something you said yesterday, and they’ll probably leave the church because of it.
- You’re a poor excuse for a pastor.
- You’re too busy.
- You don’t pray/visit/counsel/smile/frown/lead enough.
- You’re wasting your time here.
- These people don’t like you.
- God isn’t listening to you.
- You’re alone.
Yeah, Mondays can seem pretty bleak; and I’d be lying if I told you I never had a bad one. But I’ve decided to remember this:
- God is the same on Monday as He is on Sunday.
- The Bible is just as true on Monday as it is on Sunday.
- People are people on Monday, just like they are every other day of the week.
- Jesus isn’t building the Church on my efforts, but His power.
- My friends will be my friends on Monday, just like they were on Sunday.
- The sun will rise Monday morning, just like it does every other day.
- I’m still married to the most beautiful and amazing woman in the world on Monday (and all week long!!)
- My kids are just as able to remind me of God’s promises on Monday as they are on Sunday.
- I don’t need approval from a crowd on Monday-just God’s approval.
- My dog still loves me on Monday, even when I’ve preached a stinker of a sermon on Sunday.
So, I thank God for Mondays. Please don’t tell Heather I mentioned a dog. Her and the kids will pressure me to get one. That will be a pressure I’ll have to keep resisting.
Even on this Monday.
