I Can Do That

“The one who understands a matter finds success, and the one who trusts in Yahweh will be happy.” Proverbs 16:20

The author is on about wisdom. And its a good thing to hang ‘round people who have it.

I’m grateful that I have a host of men and women in my life who provide wisdom, point me in the way of understanding, and encourage me to trust. One of those is Eugene Peterson, who shared a great deal of wisdom, particularly pastoral wisdom, in his writings. He’s the kind of man who understood a matter, like the matter of ministry.

I recently came across a gem of his that I’ve read before, but it came yet again at just the right time in my pastoral life — as summer ends, and a new ministry season begins. It’s the perfect moment to be reminded who God has called me to be, as I can be anxious about not measuring up to all that required of me. Here’s the wisdom —

If I’m not busy making my mark in the world or doing what everyone expects me to do, what do I do? What is my proper work? What does it mean to be a pastor? If no one asked me to do anything, what would I do?

Three things.

I can be a pastor who prays.
I can be a pastor who preaches.
I can be a pastor who listens…

And I must mark out the times for prayer, for reading, for leisure, for the silence and solitude out of which creative work — prayer, preaching, and listening — can issue.

Yes, pastor Peterson, I too can do that.