Ellen and I are so thankful for the great kindness and generosity shown to us through kind words, cards, and overly generous gifts for Pastor Appreciation Month. I'm not sure why a month is needed for that. As Jesus says in Luke 17:10, "So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” And Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:15, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
Quite frankly, there are times when I wish I could do more, whether it be visiting with people, spending more time in preparation for Bible studies and teaching in school, worship planning, writing devotions, and so on. And while I have to make priority decisions as far as how best I will use my time (just as Mrs. Wolff must do as our Principal), there are times when I wonder if I have made the right decisions.
For the next three weeks, we'll be hearing our Lord speak to us about being prepared for the Day of His return. And while we will hear about what we should actively be doing in preparation for that Day, the emphasis will always be not on what we do for God, but on what He has first done for us through our Lord Jesus and His perfect life and sacrificial death on our behalf and His victorious resurrection. What a day that will be when our Lord welcomes us home and we get to say, "Thank You! Thank You for Your gifts! Thank You for Your eternal love! Thank You for preparing a place for me!"
Pastor Schmidt