Last month

I spent a couple days on a sermon planning retreat. I went to a bed-and-breakfast

above Chattanooga and began working on messages for this summer. My time

was even more productive, and more relaxing, than I'd hoped.

In addition

to sermon preparation, I also did a few things to recharge my spiritual

batteries. I took some prayer walks and read I and II Timothy Paul's words

of encouragement to a young preacher, his "son in the faith."

And I watched

a video of my ordination service. The service was held in September of

'94 at my home church in West Virginia. My wife (at that time my wife-to-be)

played a special on the piano. My brother and brothers-in-law read Scripture

and prayed. My sister sang. My father preached. The elders of my home

church stood in a circle around me, laid their hands on my head, and prayed

for me and my future ministry.

I cried through

most of the video, particularly during my father's sermon. He challenged

me to preach the Word. In season and out of season. Good times and bad.

Preach the Word. "You'll do a lot of things in ministry, Daniel.

You'll wear a lot of hats. But don't let these things crowd out what God

called you to. Preach the Word."

It was the

first time I'd ever watched the video. I'd held onto it for nine years,

but had never watched it. I'd planned to pull it out when I was, for whatever

reason, having a difficult time in ministry when I was down, or hurting,

or confused. I thought I'd save it for when I needed an extra boost or

encouragement.

But I decided

that was silly. Why wait until things are bad to seek renewal? Why wait

until I'm in a valley to remember why I started the journey in the first

place? Why wait until I feel lost to be reminded of my purpose, my calling?

Why wait until the batteries are drained to recharge them? Why not just

keep them charged?

The principle

holds true in other areas of life. Why wait until your marriage is on

the rocks before improving it? Why wait until friendships grow distant

before strengthening them? Why wait until your kids leave for college

to tell them you love them? Why wait until your parents are gone before

thanking them? Why wait until you're exhausted to rest? Why wait until

you feel out of touch to learn something new?

I've decided

to take an annual retreat make it a tradition. Go away for a couple days,

read I and II Timothy, pray, work on sermons. And every year I'll watch

my ordination video. In season and out. Good times and bad. Every year.

Daniel Overdorf

is the Sr. Minister of Fayetteville Christian Church, located at New Hope

and Hickory Roads in Fayetteville. He may be heard each Sunday at 10:30

a.m. as a part of the church's weekly worship. Daniel may be contacted

at the church office770-461-8763, or at [email protected].

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