Updated 3/6/12

In a previous post I talked about the very real tension that a lot of people in ministry feel between ‘family life’ and ‘work life.’

How do we faithfully fulfill commitments to those we love so dearly, and those we feel called to serve?

I was warned of this tension as a young man sensing a call into ministry during my college years… but it wasn’t until I read ‘Choosing to Cheat’ by Andy Stanley that things became solidified in my thinking – and hopefully my living as well.

The two things that have stuck with me since I first read this book several years ago are:

1. Our job already gets some of the “best” hours of our days and weeks… while our family often get’s what’s left — the evenings and/or weekends depending on the schedule we keep. For too many of our families… it’s probably much less than this… and,
2. While there are many people who could do our job, some who might even be able to do it better than we do, there is NO ONE who can be a better spouse to our mate, or parent to our children, than WE can!

These two thoughts have served to shape most of the choices I have made about life and ministry over the course of the past 15 years.

It’s why I haven’t been on many extended mission trip with students since my wife and I started to have children. It’s why I try to limit my time away on trips to a few days only a couple of times a year. It’s why I try to leave the office promptly at 4:30 – everyday.

No, I’ve not the perfect husband, father or pastor… but I strive daily to faithfully fulfill the call God has placed on my life – first to my family, and then to my students.

Together, my wife and I make decisions about when and why I will be away from our family… which makes being away a lot easier when it does happen.

My prayer — whether I’m away for the day, or on occasion, much longer — is that God will bless my family in my absence, bless my time with students, and bring us to the other side of any time a part closer to Him and to each other as a result of our willingness to sacrifice precious time together.

I’m curious to know:

How have you experienced the blessing that comes through faithful sacrifice?

How have you seen God bless your ministry as you have put your family first?

What other struggles have you found in your pursuit of living out your commitments to your family and ministry?

Please take a moment to share your thoughts in the comment section below!