Lent Day 25

Good morning! I hope your Monday it's full of blessings, even after losing an hour of sleep yesterday! 

This week, our focus is on 'Traveling with Others'.

Today, our Scripture readings are Ecclesiastes 4:9 and Romans 1:9-21.

Horsepower is our example today. One horse can produce about 15 horsepower, while 2 can produce up to 45 horsepower. The same applies to us! Having someone else to walk with us makes it possible for our output to resemble the work of 3 separate individuals working alone. There's also the assurance that when one falls behind there is another to help them along.

I want you to go read Romans 12:9-21 and spend a solid 5-10 minutes rereading it and reflecting on it. Who in your life needs this kind of grace? Go share that grace with them this week! 

Today, we are asked to think of some of the encouraging people whom God put into your life. Write their names and tell how they have encouraged you. 

Aside from my wife, three names immediately come to mind for me: 

1. Pastor Ted - He was the gentle, completely innocent and naive, all-loving pastor who encouraged me in my initial steps into faith in Christ. He officiated Danita's and my wedding, baptized 2 of the kids, and was an example of leadership that was full of love, compassion, mercy, and grace. His wife nearly killed me when she learned I took him into a mosh pit at the age of 67 because he wanted the experience!

2. Pastor Tom - He is straightforward and unashamedly outgoing for Christ. Tom invited me to lead his church while he was on sabbatical, explaining that he prayed and God told him that he knows my heart and I was the one He wanted to lead Tom's church. While it meant a lot to hear that, it was terrifying to learn that God was talking to pastors about me!  It was the opportunity and experience that cemented my calling into pastoral ministry. 

3. Pastor David - He supported, encouraged, and mentored me through the ordination process and addressed a lot of the executive pastoral responsibilities of ministries. He is always very matter of fact, not sugar coating or beating around the bush. He let's me know his expectations for me and then holds me to them, yet never scolding, always coming alongside in a way that uplifts and encourages when things don't go the way they were intended. 

There are many others, but today, I give thanks for these fellow pastors that were/are a part of nurturing my calling, mentoring me back then and still today, and are beloved friends.  

Blessings, 

Pastor Jesse