Monthly Archives: May 2024

A BALANCED LIFE

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See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:15-16

Today, I want to share with you a personal reflection on the delicate art of balancing life. This is a topic that has been close to my heart since I began my journey as a pastor in 2015. My bi-vocational path has been a mix of challenges and blessings. In Ephesians 5:15-16, the apostle Paul urges us to be very careful how we live and walk. These words resonate deeply with me, as I have grappled with the tension between my pastoral calling and my other vocation. Being bi-vocational has presented its fair share of challenges, particularly in managing time and availability. Yet, amidst these challenges, I have discovered profound advantages. It has kept me grounded in the trenches with our congregation and community, honing my character through encounters with difficult situations and people. It has deepened my appreciation for sacred time spent in preparation for sermons, Bible studies, and special studies. Moreover, it has been instrumental in nurturing the growth of our church plant, allowing it to deepen its roots and bear more fruit in its impact.

However, these advantages can only be enjoyed with balance. It’s essential to recognize that if we do not steward our time wisely, we risk surrendering it to areas of our lives that may not align with our true calling and purpose. Just as we budget our finances, we must budget our time with equal urgency, ensuring that what is most important to us is realized and felt. I’ve found practical help in the Eisenhower matrix, a tool for prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance. Daily journaling on urgent and essential matters, through the lens of my calling, has been instrumental in maintaining focus and clarity amidst competing demands. Life is not meant to be fragmented and compartmentalized. Despite the pressures of our culture that may suggest otherwise, we are not fundamentally different people at work, home, or church. Attempting to embody multiple personas leads to a fractured sense of self and a lack of balance. Instead, a balanced life begins at the center—a heart purposed to remain faithful to the person God has created and called us to be.

Let us, therefore, be diligent in budgeting our time, prioritizing what truly matters, delegating tasks aligned with our shared purpose with others, and eliminating time-wasters. It’s time for us to take control of our time, to reclaim what is rightfully ours as stewards of God’s gifts. May we seek God’s guidance in discerning priorities and making decisions about how to allocate our time and energy. It’s time to redeem the time, to reclaim what is rightfully ours as stewards of God’s gifts. May this be a season of renewed focus, balance, and purpose as we strive to live wisely in the days before us.

Because He lives,

Pastor Reggie Sheppard

SPEAKING A BLESSING

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Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6

As we journey through the changing seasons in March, let’s pause to reflect on the timeless concept of “The Blessing.” Growing up, my childhood was often without the steady presence of a father figure. Yet, the moments shared with my stepfather were cherished memories that illuminated my path as a young boy. Those experiences, whether simple conversations or shared activities, set the course for days filled with anticipation and excitement for the months ahead. Even in the absence of a constant father figure, both seen and unseen scars left their mark, echoing the silent yet powerful words of affirmation and pride from those who played a role in shaping my life.

When the time came for me to step into the role of a father, it was a day filled with unparalleled joy, yet tinged with the fear of the unknown. Like many men, I found myself searching for guidance, only to be met with a scarcity of resources on fatherhood. While mothers had the well-known book “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” the landscape for fathers seemed sparse. In my moments of searching, I cried out to the Lord, feeling the weight of inadequacy and the absence of a reference point to guide me. 0But in that moment of vulnerability, I was reminded of the ultimate Father, both in the divine sense and as an adoptive father. God, in His infinite love and wisdom, serves as the perfect example of fatherhood. He showers us with His love, watches over us with care, makes His presence known in various ways, always focuses on our good, and disciplines us so that we may learn and grow through obedience.

As I embarked on the journey of fatherhood, both to a daughter and a son, I realized the similarities and differences in raising each child. However, one universal truth emerged—both my children needed to hear their father’s blessings. They needed to sense the approval and affirmation that comes with a father’s love. Recognizing this need, heaven responded in the most profound way possible by sending us a Savior in Jesus Christ. Through His sacrifice and redemption, the enemy’s destructive works aimed at undermining the role of loving parents are defeated once and for all. In Christ, we find the ultimate example of sacrificial love and the assurance that we are deeply loved and cherished by our Heavenly Father.

May we embrace our redeemed roles as instruments of blessing in our families, workplaces, and communities. Let us reflect on the profound truth of “The Blessing” and seek to impart love, affirmation, and encouragement to those around us, just as our Heavenly Father does for each of His children.

Because He lives,

Pastor Reggie Sheppard