I have been a Worship Leader for the past 13 years. I love my calling! In that time, I rarely have had multiple weekends where I have been off the stage or not working on the weekend. I figured out there was a 4 year period where I was on the stage 202 weekends. Can you say "Burnout"? At the beginning of this year I decided (after a 12 month period of establishing and building teams at my new church) I would be off the stage one week a month. Knowing this would put pressure on our teams we prepared for the move for several months prior. This was a practice made possible and encouraged by the Elders and Senior Pastor of the Church. It has been a gift to my soul. My capacity as a leader has increased. Sensitivity to God's voice has increased. My team is growing under the healthy added pressure and opportunities.
This summer from the beginning of July through the end of August, I was off four times for vacation and a mission trip. The first three weeks I took in a row. I loved the time off, but to be transparent, the old "baptist duty guilt" I grew up with kicked in at times trying to rob me of my needed rest. I know, I know...I need counseling. The real tough one was this past week. I had only been back two weeks and my monthly week off rolled around. My temptation was to give in and do it anyway. But I didn't. So yesterday I spent the day with family and friends in and around the pool. We cooked burgers and listened to country music. About half way through the day as I was watching the ground chuck sizzling on the grill, God showed up in a special way in my soul. I could hear Him speaking louder than I have in a long time. It was all I could do to hold back the tears. Today has been a normal day in the office; Budgets, two 2 hour creative meetings, task lists, emails, and phone calls, 3 adhoc hallway meetings. But I was more present and more importantly I sensed more of God's Presence.
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