Here’s my email to the Elders and Deacons of Crestview on 10/22/13:
Today, we’re reviewing chapter 13 in Dangerous Calling on “The Danger of Arrival”. (Paul) Tripp is pressing hard on us and how we go after preparing for our ministry responsibilities at the expense of private, personal worship. He writes: “The lack of a meditative, Christ-centered devotional life in many pastors is not just the result of the seemingly unending demands of ministry; it is also the product of arrival. I am convinced that when busyness intersects with arrival, one of the first things that goes is private worship. Perhaps it is a combination of fear and gratitude that drives us to our knees and into communion with Christ each morning. It is when we face who we are and the fickleness of our hearts that we feel the need to have our hearts recaptured morning after morning. It is when we reflect on the fact that sin is not always a horror to us but sometimes appears positively attractive that we want to run into the protective arms of our Lord again and again. It is when we consider the dangerous temptation of this fallen world that we will want to get help for the battle day after day. It is fear of our own weaknesses that drives us to the Savior for strength. It is when we fear the power of the foolishness that still remains in us that we are propelled to daily seek the wisdom that can only be found in the pages of Scripture. A humble and holy fear is a major part of what propels a consistent life of daily personal worship.”
I think this nicely relates to our Sunday evening study on Seasons. Crawford Lorritts said that men consistently need to be learners, growing more and more, but they also need to be repenting, looking more like Christ consistently. I hope this resonates in you today and you run after God, because you will find Him when you seek Him with your whole heart.