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This scripture has anchored my prayer life for my husband, Bill and more lately for me as well — that God would bring together our hearts and our skills as we minister.

I first wrote about this over a year ago in the winter. And then again last fall. Now a springtime post.

God continues to define Psalm 78:72 for me.

First the concept of capacity caught my attention. I don’t have unlimited capacity. My heart and my skill need to be mitigated by capacity. And my capacity is changing.

As I was sharing this at a workshop last fall, her comment helped define capacity. She offered, A question I ask myself when a new opportunity arises is “Will I have the ability to sustain what I start?” Sustainability added a deeper dimension to capacity.

Then my phone call with Pat a few months ago. Oh how we need the wisdom of those a few years ahead of us! I’ll be forever thankful!

Pat and I first met when we both lived in Illinois and attended the same church. A significant part of their ministry was the families in the church.

Pat was a teacher and with her husband spent summers in northern Minnesota. Bill and I were on our first ministry assignment, The University of Illinois.

They were part of the leadership team at our church. I looked up to them AND I wondered, how can they leave their ministry field for a whole summer?

Actually I judged them. Ouch! Oh how little that 20-something understood!!

As we talked recently, Pat brought up the concept of responsibility. In that moment I knew I had heard from God.

Responsibility was another piece of the puzzle helping me to understand Psalm 78:72. My heart and my skill, besides being tempered by capacity and sustainability, also needed to be tempered by responsibility.

What are the responsibilities God has entrusted me with
that need to be taken into account
when considering other opportunities?

And to carry out well my God-given responsibilities, I need to follow the example of Jesus., and of Pat. Often recorded in the gospels are incidences when Jesus left the crowds, left ministry opportunities, and went away to enjoy and be refreshed by the presence of God.

“Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”
Mark 6:31

That’s what northern Minnesota was for Pat. That’s what our sanctuary is for us. But sometimes I forget. I need Pat’s to remind me.

Responsibilities can only be carried out well
when they are the overflow of times of rest.

If your output exceeds your input, then your upkeep will be your downfall.”

I’m looking forward to recharging our spiritual batteries this summer, so I can enter the fall ready to live out my heart and my skill tempered by my capacity, ability to sustain, and the responsibilities God has already given. Thank you, Pat!

 

If you want to look back at previous posts on Psalm 78:72, the archives will get you there.

A Colorado Winter Morning, January 27, 2022
The Simplicity and Beauty of Gospel Friendships, September 29, 2022

Copyright: Sue Tell, May 2023