Job Review

We all have had them. When I was at Lowe's I had one every year on the date that I started with the company. In the construction companies I worked for, I had them anywhere from twice a year, to once a month. Everyone of us who has ever worked a job, has had at some point a job review. The problem with being a Pastor, is first, the review happens every Sunday and second, the review happens by the only being who is perfect in nature. As a Pastor, my review, of my servant humble glorifying heart, happens by God every time I step before His people and try to love them through the speaking of truth. And the reality is, more times than I would ever like to admit, I score very poorly on God's review of my servant humble glorifying heart. But I worship God for giving me a low score, becasue then it spurns me on in zeal to grow more like Him and love His sheep that much better the next time I glorifying Him through loving His sheep.

Thinking through this very fact, of a weekly review from God, makes me stop this time of year to reflect, prayer, and worship God for all that He has done in and through me, for His glory, in the past year. So here is my prayer thinking about my role as a Pastor for God, from the last year

Father, I thank you for another year of ministry.
You truly are amazing, God, in that you could and do use someone like me
You have done some amazing things in the life of my church this past year
And I thank you that I can be a part of it.
I thank you for your glorious nature and divine power,
I thank you for your plan for your sheep and your plan for me
I thank you that you have chosen me to be a part of your plan
A part of your plan in equipping the sheep for your work
A part of the disciple making process

But Lord, I must confess for the many times I failed you
I am sorry Lord for the pride that has crept in my heart
I am sorry for the arrogance I spout at times
I am sorry for running ahead of your will
and doing my own thing with my own desires
But Lord, I rejoice in your forgiveness
I am thankful for your grace and mercy for my sins
And I rejoice knowing you keep every promise to forgive when I confess

So as I think to the year ahead, God
I pray that you will continue to use me
I ask that you will continue to glorify yourself through me
I beg of you to create in me a heart of worship for you, the only Divine
I ask, Father, that in the year ahead I will be more humble
that I will follow where You lead and be your sharp tool
I am trusting in you God, to bring a year full of mighty works,
Works of your hand, that you chose to do through me.
Create in me a servant humble glorifying heart, that is full of worship
And I ask Father, that in 2017, I will be a better minister for you, than I was in 2016
All for you glory and to your praise, I ask
In Jesus holy righteous name,
Amen