One of the most memorable quotes I heard at the recent pastor’s conference was: “A pastor who is not content in God will feed on his sheep rather than feed his sheep.”
I know exactly what that means. When I don’t find my satisfaction in God alone, I tend to look to my congregation for my self-worth, validation, and identity. And I will use the church to boost my own ego, pride, or sense of significance, at which point I am devouring the church rather than feeding it.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29
If I am not resting in Jesus, then my anxiety will cause me to find another source of rest and satisfaction.
But it’s not only the pastors who may be this way.
  • A mother who is not content in God may be feeding on her children. She’s using them for her own validation, significance, and identity.
  • A young man who is not content in God may be going from one relationship to another seeking his own validation, significance and identity.
  • A teenager who is not content in God will use her friends to find validation.
  • A middle aged man who is not content in God will find a new hobby to pour his time, money and energy into at the expense of his family and church.
Unless we are feeding on God and are satisfied, we will feed on everyone else around us.
Find your rest in God. Find your validation, significance, and identity in God.
You are who God says you are; not how you compare to others on social media…
PH