Some days, I feel like a great pastor.
Some days, I feel like a good husband.
Some days, I feel like a decent father.
And some days… well, some days I feel like I’m just barely making it at all!
There are mornings I wake up ready to charge the gates of hell with a squirt gun, preach fire from the pulpit, visit the sick, and still make it home in time to take my wife on a date and play catch with my kids.
But other days — if I’m being honest — the only thing I seem to be able to catch is grace.
Because I need it!
I’m human.
A very called, very anointed, very imperfect human.
And maybe that’s the point.
Paul reminds us:
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on,
that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”
— Philippians 3:12 (NKJV)
Pressing on doesn’t mean pretending that I’m always getting it right. It means acknowledging that even when I’m a “great pastor” but only a “good husband,” or a “good husband” but a “struggling pastor,” or sometimes not very good at either — I’m still called to press forward!
The balance is tough. Ministry demands a lot.
Family deserves a lot.
And somehow, both can feel like they require all of me.
But the truth is — only Jesus has endless strength.
I don’t.
(Neither do you, if you’re reading this thinking you’re supposed to…)
Isaiah reminds us:
“He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.”
— Isaiah 40:29 (NKJV)
I don’t have to be everything every day.
I just have to give my best every day.
And when my best doesn’t feel like enough — His grace is!!
Some days my wife gets the leftovers.
Some days the church gets the leftovers.
Some days my kids gets the leftovers.
And some days… well, leftovers are all I have to give.
But God can multiply even the leftovers…
Remember, He fed over five thousand people with a few loaves and fish — and still had baskets left over! (John 6:9–13, NKJV)
If God can use a boy’s lunch to feed a multitude, He can use my feeble efforts to bless my family, my church, and even my own heart.
2 Corinthians 12:9 tells me:
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)
I’m not perfect — but I’m perfectly dependent on Him.
That’s where the real balance comes from.
If you’re reading this and you sometimes feel like you’re dropping the ball — welcome to the human race!
But take heart:
God knew you would need grace.
That’s why He gave it so freely.
And when you feel like you’re failing at everything — remember:
…Even Jesus napped in the middle of a storm. (Mark 4:38, NKJV)
If the Savior of the world could take a nap, maybe it’s okay if you slow down too, for a moment from time to time! That doesn’t mean step away, quit, or just throw your hands up. That means “take a nap”, refresh, take a deep breath, and keep pressing forward!
You’re not called to be perfect — you’re called to be faithful.
And today, faithful is enough!
Blessings!
Pastor Jonathan W. Pannell III
Today’s Prayer:
Father, thank You for understanding my heart even when my hands are tired.
Thank You that You don’t expect perfection, but simply faithfulness.
Help me to love You first, lead my family well, and serve Your people with joy.
Thank You for catching me on the days I stumble, and for giving me new strength each morning.
Use even my weakness for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Rev. Jonathan W. Pannell III 