Latest / Jo Watson: Unfiltered Faith / "The Weight of the Call: The Sound of a Soul That's Tired
Transcript
- The Weight of the call: Welcome back to Unfiltered Faith. I'm Joe Watson and it's time to breathe. Time to slow down. Time to let your shoulders drop. And time to step into the sanctuary. Not the sanctuary we're all so familiar with, but the one that God is building inside you. This is the place where we tell the truth that heals, not the truth that hurts. Where we peel back the layers of church culture, spiritual expectations, and the quiet battles believers fight behind closed doors. Today's letter is heavy. It's honest. It's holy. And it's necessary. It comes from someone who signs. their name broken. And if you've ever served in ministry, if you've ever carried the weight of people's expectations, if you've ever tried to honor God while your body, your mind, your finances, and your spirit were collapsing under pressure, this episode is for you. Before I respond, I want to say this clearly. There is a difference between serving God and being consumed by ministry culture. There is a difference between answering your call and being crushed by people's demands. And Jesus never asks you to die for a church. He already died for. So let's begin. This is what our listener wrote. Dear unfiltered faith, I'm tired. I work in a church system that doesn't value rest. I grew up in the church and I love the Lord, but the demands the church is putting on me financially, mentally, physically. And yes, spiritually are almost unbearable. It is a small church, and they are not able to pay me a salary that is sufficient to pay my bills. But the demand on me to be a full time pastor, answer every call, working into the middle of the night, preaching with a message that ignites the congregation, and always being on call. is destroying my family, the relationships around me and me. I'm not sure what advice you can offer, and I don't know if I'm really looking for any. I just need the people in the church congregations to hear me when I say I want to answer my call, but I'm not sure Jesus wanted me to do it at the expense of my health and my life. I am sure I am not the only pastor who is struggling with this. Maybe others feel too guilty to be truthful. Sincerely broken. Wow. Dear Broken, thank you for your letter and thank you for your transparency. I am so sorry for the deep pain you are feeling. I can hear the weight of ministry in your voice. So let's walk slowly, gently into this response. Let me start by saying you are not weak. You are not failing. You are not unfaithful. You are tired, and tiredness is not rebellion. What you are describing is what thousands of pastors, ministers, worship leaders, and servants of God feel, but are afraid to say out loud. I love Jesus, but the system is breaking me. The church is the bride of Christ, but the system, the expectations, the culture, the demands, those are Human made. And humans often forget that pastors are human too. Scripture does not command you to destroy yourself for ministry. Scripture does not command you to sacrifice your family for ministry. Scripture does not command you to work without rest, without support, and without boundaries. In fact, Scripture says the opposite. Matthew eleven verse twenty eight says, Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Psalm twenty three verse two says, He makes me to lie down in green pastures. And in Luke chapter five, verse sixteen, we see that. Even Jesus withdrew to lonely places and prayed. If Jesus Himself rested, if Jesus Himself stepped away from crowds, if Jesus Himself refused to let people's demands dictate his pace, then you, pastor, are allowed to rest too. Let me say this as clearly as I can. God is not asking you to die for the church. He is asking you to live for him. And living for him requires rest. Living for him requires boundaries, health, and wholeness. You said something powerful. I want to answer my call, but I'm not sure Jesus wanted me to do it at the expense of my health and my life. You're right, he didn't. Your call is sacred, your health is sacred, your family is sacred, and your life is sacred. And any system that demands you sacrifice what God calls sacred is out of alignment with his heart. Let me say that again. Any system that demands you sacrifice. What God calls sacred is out of alignment with his heart. I want to stop right here to pray for every pastor or church leader who is breaking quietly under the weight of ministry. Father, we lift up this listener who calls themselves broken, and every pastor who is silently collapsing under the weight of ministry. Strengthen their weary hands, restore their tired hearts. Remind them that you are the God who gives rest, not the God who demands exhaustion. Let your spirit breathe fresh wind into their lungs. Let your peace settle into their bones. Let your wisdom guide their next steps. And let them know deeply, personally, undeniably, that you see them, that you love them, and that you are not disappointed in them. Amen. To broken and someone listening today, I hear the Lord saying, You are not failing your assignment. Your assignment is shifting, you are not losing strength. I am redirecting it. You are not breaking, you are being rebuilt. Rest is not rebellion, rest is obedience. So hold on. Hold on to the God who holds you. Hold on to the Jesus who rested. Hold on to the Spirit who renews. And if you are listening right now, testify. Tell us in the comments, in the chat, in your own heart who God has been for you when you were tired, when you were. Overwhelmed when you were caring too much. Your testimony will strengthen someone else's survival. And if you are listening today and you don't know Jesus, or you walked away, or you're curious, or you're hurting, let me invite you to the one who gives rest. Jesus is not a task maker, he is not a burden giver. He is not a demand maker. He is the one who says, come to me. So if you want to give Jesus your life today, pray this prayer with me. Jesus, I'm tired. I'm worn out. I need you. I give you my heart, my life, and my future. Teach me your rest. Heal me with your love, I choose you today. Amen. If you prayed that prayer, find the church that teaches Jesus not exhaustion. Find a community that values your soul, not your performance. Find a pastor who lives what they preach, and to broken and every Pastor or church leader listening, you are not alone. You are not forgotten. You are not invisible. You are not failing. Yes, you are called, but you are human and you are loved, and you are held. And may the God who rested, the Jesus who withdrew and the Spirit who renews wrap you in the peace of Peace today. And if you are carrying a weight that feels too heavy to hold, please remember that this podcast is not a substitute for professional therapy or pastoral care. Reach out. Get the support you need. You deserve that kind of care. If you would like to send in a question or share a story with Unfiltered Faith, You can reach us at Joe at UnfilteredFaithpod.com. We would love to hear from you. Your testimonies and your experiences matter. They help others grow. They encourage weary hearts, and they draw people closer to Jesus. Until next time, Family Unfiltered Faith, God is moving, so stay ready. And to God be the glory.