The Pastor
A Most Unusual Man
(Dedicated to all who have answered the call to preach)
The phone rings: another urgent call,
but he’s ready, the task to meet;
kisses his wife a quick goodbye
and hurries down the street.
A neighbor watches as he goes,
thoughts running through his head:
He's gone from relaxing on his porch
to "rescuing" someone instead.
‘Tis true, the man seems driven
by a strange, mysterious force
to serve Creator and creation,
though hard may be the course.
Not a fireman battling deadly flames;
not tracking criminals down;
not performing surgery
or governing a town.
No military uniform
like those in freedom’s fight;
yet fighting hard to save men's souls,
waging warfare day and night.
His claim is not as hero,
for that never was God’s plan.
But he answered the call to serve Him
and became a preacher man.
Now he works to spread the Gospel
to those by sin oppressed,
shares the message of salvation,
and prays that all be blessed.
At mention of a baby’s birth,
pure joy lights up his face.
In sickness and in death, he comes
to minister God’s grace.
Other things he freely does
in a spirit of humility,
all blended with his so-called
Sunday-only responsibility.
There’s leading the lost to Jesus;
baptisms and funerals planned just right;
marriage counseling, performing weddings;
dealing with a couple’s first fight.
There are hospital calls to make
and shut-in visitations;
events planned for our children;
and other church occasions.
At church, he welcomes visitors
to join the congregation;
makes sure the sound system and A/C
don’t stir up aggravation.
In services, he's shaking hands,
making sure that smiles are given.
There are prayers to pray, the sermon
to preach, and then the invitation.
For all these things and more
we should express appreciation
to the man who seldom sleeps
and rarely takes an earned vacation.
He’s a shepherd and a counselor
and at times a referee.
He's a friend and companion to everyone—
always there for you and me.
He’s far from superhuman,
though some may think him so.
No, just a man who answered God’s call—
the Pastor we all know.
© 2023 Loyd C Taylor, Sr.
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (2 Timothy 4:1-5)