The bishop appointed me as the senior pastor of Northside Church in June 2017. A colleague shared some sage advice about serving in Buckhead.

“Most churches have a rhythm of busy and slow seasons, which provides periods of rest and renewal; but ministry in a metro area never stops. It’s like rafting Class-5 rapids in an ever-flowing river. You have to create respite times periodically by paddling to shore.”  

My fellow pastor provided wise counsel but didn’t provide sufficient details. Serving in Buckhead is like rafting Class-5 rapids in an ever-flowing river in an underinflated raft without a paddle or life jacket while people shout instructions from shore; and the roar around the bend may or may not be a waterfall!  

I just described most of our lives. We live in a hectic, harried, hurried, 24/7/365 world. The modern age ensnares us with digital chains of cell phones, social media, streaming content, emails, texts, and calls. It has become increasingly difficult to find times of rest and recreation; and if we don’t seek them out diligently, then they will never be found.

The 20^th century theologian, Ferris Bueller, said, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it!”

We all need to take time off, and the verb “take” is key. If we don’t deliberately make the time to take the time, then the time will flow forever downstream.

God grant us the grace to go with the flow and rest on the shore.