Daily Devotional for May 12, 2022

 
Mark Gungor recently said, “If a pastor does his job right, it’s a walk in the park – Jurassic Park.
 
What I can say is being a pastor is a grand adventure, much of which I never see coming.  I have seen and experienced many things I would have never expected.  This Monday was a good example of working with an exceptional staff that has a sense of humor.
 
In our staff meeting on Monday afternoon, Kay mentioned she had set out two signs on easels advertising a big upcoming event.  Five minutes later, she walked by the easels and the signs were gone.  She said she thought she was losing her mind.
 
Being a supportive pastor, I accused her of being on drugs, but then I remembered when the Temple Police SWAT Unit had to remove a deranged man threatening to detonate a bomb in our sanctuary.  We even made the national news.
 
Because of that crazy event when the police were trying to locate this man in our church, we had security cameras installed everywhere.
 
I asked Sam to examine the footage from the cameras to see what happened to Kay’s signs, and if she had never set them out to begin with, I was going to make an appointment for her to go to a drug rehab.
 
Later that day, Sam called me into his office and showed me what he had found.  The good news was that Kay didn’t have the drug problem I suspected.
 
There on the screen was a woman I had never seen before and was clearly not a member of our church. Twice, checking to see that no one was watching, she looked both directions, stole both signs and rushed out the door as quickly as possible.
 
Luckily, we were able to identify her.  The signs were returned, and Kay didn’t have to go to rehab.  It was a win/win.
 
Also, on Monday, I got the following text from Tara.  “Hello, I met with a lady today this is very interested in visiting the church.  She was here doing a tour for MDO and was asking about the church as well.  She just moved here from Austin………. Wanted to give you a heads up if they attend Sunday.
 
I responded, “Thank you, were you nice?”
 
There was a pause before Tara said, “Most of the time I was, yes.” 
 
I was pleased with Tara’s “Most of the time,” because I knew it was hard for her.
 
Now back to the dangerous man who met the wonderful members of our city’s SWAT unit.
 
Before he was shot with a non-lethal device and arrested, he had made his way to the church balcony where he yelled at God and dumped all the contents of his wallet onto the first floor below.
 
After he was arrested, I told the police the money he had thrown off the balcony was his offering to God and the church got to keep it.  They disagreed and took it as evidence.
 
This is just a small snippet of what it means to be one of your pastors.  And on behalf of Pastor Kit and myself, we wouldn’t have it any other way.  We love what we do.  Thank you for allowing us to serve you with joy and laughter.
 
Serving God with joy and peace is exactly what Paul meant as he sat in prison and wrote these profound words to the church at Philippi: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:4-6)
 
Choose to serve God wherever God calls you.  It won’t always be easy or fun, but you will have true joy.  It’s worth it.
 
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins