Sixteen

Early to Bed, Early to Rise…

“You can’t soar with the eagles in the morning if you

are hooting with the owls at night.” I don’t know if

Prince Altom, pastor of Hillside Church of Marin, made

this up or not, but they were certainly words I needed

to hear.

         

My habit is to rise about 7AM, drink a cup or two

of coffee while I read the newspaper, eat a

substantial breakfast, and then leave for the office.

I find I do my best work in the morning. Once in

my office, Bible reading, prayer, and reflection come

first. Secondly, I focus on the sermon. Last of all I

briefly study one language or another.

It is best if this time is without interruption. When

the phone starts ringing the day is on (there is no

secretary at Miller Avenue). Other activities,

appointments, correspondence, computer work, and so

on, begin around 10AM.

In order to rise early I must retire early as well.

Part of keeping strong and healthy is getting plenty of

sleep. A lack of sleep over the course of a few days

means the body and brain are not going to work as they

could.

80

For Pastors

Good nutrition is important, but it will not make

up for a lack of sleep and/or a weak body. A pastor is

similar to an athlete who must keep in training all the

time. To compete the athlete must eat right, get good

sleep, and exercise regularly. All Christians are in a race,

a competition, and it is the wise and prudent pastor

who runs hard toward the prize.

Having said all this I want to say that this regime,

that suits me, may not suit everyone. Several pastors I

know work the opposite from me, that is, they do their

best work at night, sometimes quite late at night, and

consequently they sleep late into the next day. We are

all different and every one of us will find what works

best for them.

         

  The pastor as athlete—does this seem to be an apt

comparison?

  What about your lifestyle, does it contribute to health

and strength?