Proverbs 24:30-34
I passed by the field of a sluggard,
by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,
31 and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;
the ground was covered with nettles,
and its stone wall was broken down.
32 Then I saw and considered it;
I looked and received instruction.
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
34 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man.
After engaging for 14 days with the detailed situations of 22 churches and many other unreached communities, I confess that my little brain had reached capacity. We had seen and heard so much, but what was most needed for others and me ? A prayer for wisdom is always wise, but is excessive activity the best environment to receive such wisdom in ? In the UK we've just had 4 days to celebrate the Queen's 70 year reign. Many folks chose to fill these days with bunting, booze, and bass at the "big bash". Many in my community regularly complain about the "busy life", and yet as soon as they have opportunity to rest they exhaust themselves in manic preparations with a desire to outdo each other in noisy celebration. If some of my neighbours put the same extreem effort and productivity into their jobs as they did their exterior decorations for special occasions, I speculate that the British economy would be in a better place. I would not consider my neighbours to be sluggards, far from it, many would be in the category of "self starters", but sometimes what they choose to invest in is completely baffling to me.
This morning the bunting is being taken away ("Bin day") and folks are back to "work". Was it worth it ? I guess the real issue is not a lack of industry but a lack of reflection which leads to wise living. I hope they gained some wisdom at least from considering the life of our Queen who follows Christ.
When it comes to the new community, I'm so grateful to all who tried to utilise the Queen's celebrations as a missional opportunity, I prayed very hard for you, I hope you were encouraged and it was fruitful. I fear however that oftentimes it is possible as believers that we can try too hard. I certainly think there are times when the pendulum swings and we synchronise too much with manic herd culture. This weekend was a great opportunity for many churches in the UK, but what has offset that busyness in your life and church, how did it fit in with the bigger missional program of the church ?
Seasons of intense activity are unavoidable if missional headway is to be made as we seek to make the most of every opportunity. However, the balance of the bible reminds us that seasons of reflection are also critical for every life lived wisely.
In most countries I am currently serving or supporting, a high percentage of pastors are bi-vocational. This means that alongside family and the practical challenges of everyday domestic life, they carve out a (very modest) living to support their primary passion of taking Christ to those yet reached. Such friends must use their time exceptionally well to even function. God is blessing such faithful living, and what can be observed is far from the headless chicken routine. Instead we see a focussed life, which influences others for Christ in several contexts simultaneously, and models a pattern of life and service for many others to copy. A key component of this is the leaders' earmarked time for reflection. The busier you are, the higher the premium and benefit of time to reflect. Profitable parents and preachers reflect (however busy life gets), and days of rest or holidays increase capacity for days of challenge in ministry. Debriefing and de-stressing is a key component for longevity and sustainability in fruitful service for Christ. It is possible to see the wood for the trees. Those who are most productive know how to measure their moments.
OBSERVATION IS A KEY COMPONENT TO ALL BIBLICAL WISDOM.
Solomon spoke 3000 proverbs and sang 1005 wise songs. (1 Kings 4:32). Like David his father, every subject matter is observed before discussion (including the natural world of trees, plants reptiles and fish (1 Kings 4:31-34)). Reflection is not always without activity, observation can also be made at the busiest times. Observation itself can be hard work. Reflection does not need us to be a sluggard. Reflection can be our greatest next step to make progress. So why then are we so slow to sit down and take stock of life, and why is that particularly true of spiritual and missional leaders in our Western culture and church ?
For what it is worth I share 3 reflections:
1) We like our leaders to be seen to be busy.
Busy eyes make blurry eyes. 
A basic observation of pastors and leaders conferences is that (in many cultures) a high percentage of leaders are activists. By this I mean that they are known as guys who "get things done", it is hard to get them to sit and not do. Default mode is planning, reading and speaking, not reflecting, observing and pondering. There could be many reasons for this including natural temperament, and the general intense demands of ministry in a pagan culture (UK). What concerns me most however is the observation that some feel guilty for taking time to reflect. When a church community demands activity from a leader or makes them feel guilty for not accomplishing more, their increased activity will show diminishing returns and a lack of spiritual wisdom. Reflection is the first step in fruitful humble leadership, being one step ahead in submission with the mind and mission of God, to lead his people in a considered path of his choosing and his equipping. We know better how to pray, what to pray and the extent of our dependance when we have reflected humbly before God. Clear sight from compassionate eyes of grace and clarity to lead well are the payoffs for giving leaders freedom for reflection.
2) Leaders like to be seen to be busy, but this is idolatry of self, egotistic and ultimately unproductive.
If our chief identity, model and wisdom is in Christ, and our chief goal is to please him, we have security and contentment in his grip of grace regardless of what activity we are or are not involved in. We do not as leaders need to prove ourselves to him. He is the one who knew the worst about us but gave himself for us anyway. He calls us his children not his workforce, he cherishes our being more than our doing. He did not chose us because of our giftedness or prospective fruitfulness, he chose you and me because he is incomprehensibly full of love. Do not therefore have a life propelled by trying to please people, a bipolar ministry which just causes harm to others and yourself. Our goal is to please him (2 Tim 2:1-2).
3) We mistake industry for productivity.
Good farmers know that productive fields also need to be rested, and that ultimately it is God who gives the increase. Having many activities, ministries and mobilised to reach out to many subparts of unreached communities is so commendable, but sometimes there is a way to work smarter not harder. A lightbulb moment for many has come in training conferences when pastors have reflected with us on a local churches' strategy or diary for mission. Church life can be an uncompassionate hamster wheel for the conscientious and faithful army of grace. I've seen pastors completely broken and devastated by the realisation that they have broken their congregation by not realising this. Running your church family into the ground is not your calling.
Natural community contact, public proclamation, small group discussion and reaping events can work holistically and profitably together if considered and bathed in prayer. When these things work in harmony not dissonance, the church is energised not exhausted.
There are many gifts in your congregation, for both sowing and reaping. Take the humility pill, model submission, and admit that led well, set on a good trajectory, the church could make massive missional progress without a lot of your involvement, and in fact it must be so if it is to be fruitfully mobilised and missionally scattered. When this trajectory is set our greatest role and investment is prayer and encouragement.
Maybe I've disturbed a nest, and if so I hope that it has been a helpful disturbance. Either way I'd be keen to hear your considered reflections. Praying hard for productivity in the mission of God, in my life, in my family, in our churches, in our country and to the great masses of unreached peoples across our globe. The clock ticks, eternity will irreversibly come soon for each of us. Lord teach us to observe and live well.
- When have you programmed time for your next reflection ?
- Will it be soon enough ?
EPHESIANS 5: 15-17
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
NUMBERS 6:2
The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”
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