At 211 degrees water is hot. At 212 degrees water begins to boil. And with boiling water, comes steam, and with steam you can power a train. Just one extra degree makes all the difference.
Already your mind has begun thinking about the church where you pastor - “If I could do a little extra, just one degree more it could make all the difference in the church.” I know your heart, and I commend your passion and willingness to give your all for God’s Church.
However, I want you to think of this ONE DEGREE MORE principle and apply it to yourself. What if you spent a little less time thinking about the church and doing church work, and instead spend a little more time for yourself in personal devotion, exercise, a hobby, a walk in the park, a show/movie with your spouse. Maybe we pastors could serve our congregations better if we would spend more time taking care of their pastor. Just one degree could release new creativity, energize your mind, renew your passion, settle your nerves, calm your stress, and increase your joy.
Most creatures grow to their environment. Fish will grow in proportion to the size of the pond they are in. Do you know how they grow small watermelons? They place a glass jar over the small watermelon and it will grow until it feels the pressure of the jar and then it quits growing. We grow to our environments.
I want to encourage you to create a healthy environment for your personal health, wellness, and relationship with God.
Here are some ideas for ONE DEGREE MORE:
You need to create TIME for yourself to relax, unwind, be yourself where you can turn off.
You need to find a PLACE where you find peace and feel joy.
You need a PERSON in your life you can depend on and lean on.
You need healthy BOUNDARIES of separation from toxic people.
You need FRIENDS that accept you as a person and not as the pastor whom you enjoy hanging out with.
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