The Monday Gospel: Finding Hope in the Darkest Day
As preachers, we know that Monday can be a daunting day. The adrenaline rush of Sunday’s sermon has worn off, and the weight of our responsibilities comes crashing down. We’re left feeling drained, both physically and emotionally. But what if our Monday struggles are more than just a case of exhaustion? What if they’re a reminder of our greatest need: the gospel?
The Preacher’s Dilemma
Preaching is a high calling, but it’s also a heavy burden. We pour our hearts and souls into every sermon, only to feel like we’ve fallen short. The pressure to perform can be overwhelming, and the weight of responsibility can be crushing. It’s no wonder that many preachers struggle with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.
The Cycle of Sin and Misery
Left to ourselves, we’re trapped in a cycle of sin and misery. We try to deny it, but we’re broken people living in a broken world. Our commission to preach is a call to confront that brokenness head-on, both in our own lives and in the lives of our hearers. But without the gospel, we’re without hope.
The Redeemer
That’s where Jesus comes in. He’s the Redeemer, the one who has come to save us from ourselves. He lived, died, and rose again to give us new life. He endured the thistles and thorns of a sin-torn world, and he heaped our foolish efforts at independence upon his own head at the cross. He was broken for us, even for preachers.
Listening to Our Monday Moods
So what can we learn from our Monday struggles? Rather than writing off our post-sermon lowness as mere exhaustion, let’s listen to what our moods are telling us. Are we feeling low because we’re sinners in need of grace? If so, that’s a great discovery. The truth is that our congregation knew it all along, and they still love us.
Marveling at God’s Love
Now that we’ve remembered our need for grace, let’s marvel at the love of God in Jesus Christ all the more. He came, labored, died, rose, ascended, and is interceding for preachers like us. He has all the grace we need, and he’s willing to give it to us freely. So let’s not be too quick to dismiss our Monday struggles. Instead, let’s use them as an opportunity to reflect on our need for the gospel and to marvel at the love of God.
Finding Hope in the Darkest Day
Mondays may be dark, but they’re not without hope. In fact, they’re a reminder of the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. So let’s not give up, even when things seem bleak. Let’s keep preaching, keep praying, and keep trusting in the power of the gospel to transform our lives and the lives of those around us.
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