Remember the time some 5,000+ people came to Jesus hungry and his disciples wanted to send them away? Jesus said, “no, you give them something to eat.” Then Jesus blessed a few loaves and fish and everyone was fed plus there were ample leftovers.
Our people come to us week after week, hungry for God’s love, but it doesn’t mean we always need to be the one to make them dinner. Jesus simply says, “give them something to eat” and then he does the heavy lifting. Pastors, especially those serving in solo calls, sometimes need a break from preparing a five-course meal type sermon week after week. Sometimes it is ok to serve leftovers, find a reliable source that inspires you and then serve it up. There are plenty of beautiful messages, guided meditations and the like online that are there in hopes they will be used to minister to others. Think of it as ordering take out on weeks when making one more meal (read: writing another sermon) is just too much. Sure, maybe it served as someone else’s dinner when it was first written or recorded but we all know how good leftovers can taste when they are reheated and served hot with little preparation needed.
It is ok and even necessary to give yourself a break once in a while from the demanding rhythm of weekly sermon prep. Your people will still be fed and you may be surprised at how full you feel after too. It can be good to eat dinner once in a while with our people, allowing ourselves to be fed alongside them. We don’t know who actually ate the leftovers Jesus had the disciples collect. Maybe some of them were set aside for you.
