Blogs...

I haven't blogged recently (or twittered for that matter). I think some of these tools are simply a chance for us to think we are more important than we are. In the grand scheme of things there is really only one or two blogs or twitters that I pay attention to (don't have time for much more right now) and I could easily ignore or delete those with no problem.

One of the biggest traps we can fall into today is distraction. I can get so distracted with breaking news and urgent stuff that I can't slow down and enjoy life. As a pastor, if I can't (or won't) take time to simply be in the presence of God, I can't lead. My congregation needs me to be centered and focused on ultimate things. This is one area that the Catholics are doing it well - the spiritual leaders of the communities are not allowed to get entangled with the urgency of certain things so that they can focus on being the true spiritual leaders of the community.

Henri Nouwen called this moving from relevance to prayer. It is more important to be a man or woman of prayer than to be relevant. And actually, relevance will come as a by-product of time with God - who is ultimate reality and therefore always relevant!

Over the last few weeks I've noticed that I can't slow down and simply listen to God like I need to. That will change this week...

Under the Mercy,
Jason