Monday.
It’s a universally hated day (by most, at least). It represents the end of the weekend and the start of, sigh, a new work week. The bed just seems a little cozier on Monday mornings. The coffee seems to take a little longer to brew. We don’t want to get up, and when we do, our feet drag.
Monday. Ugh.
For Pastors, Mondays hit a little different. In a way, it’s almost a Tuesday, and that’s better than a Monday, right? However, if you talk to pastors, many say Monday still seems to be a drag. Sunday was draining. It is, after all, the big day of our week. Most everything else we do aims to prepare us for that worship gathering. It takes our time and focus. We stand and deliver before God and people. And let’s not forget the spiritual element to everything. There are forces of darkness, after all, and they hate Sundays (though they seem to love Mondays).
So, what should you do with your Monday, Pastor?
I suggest: Breathe.
Different pastors have different views on whether they want to work on Mondays. Some take the day off to recover from Sunday. Others prefer to work in an attempt to leave their Fridays and Saturdays freer. (And, of course, there are our co-vocational brothers who often have to work on ministry “off days,” who have even another layer to the madness.)
I’m of the opinion that I’d rather work on a Monday. Even if it drags a little. Even if I need to recoup after Sunday, I’d rather take Monday to get some work out of the way.
If you’re like me, or even if you’re not, I have a few suggestions to help Mondays be productive yet at least somewhat restful. Of course, it starts with: Just take a breath. I hope your Sunday wasn’t difficult. I hope there wasn’t a cantankerous church member who read you the riot act when all you wanted to do was show people hope and love in Jesus. Even if there was, Mondays are a terrible day for big decisions. Don’t resign on a Monday. Use that day to take a breath, process, pray, and unwind your thoughts.
That leads to my second suggestion: Use Mondays for extra focus on communing with Jesus through Scripture and prayer. I don’t mean for deep study if your mind isn’t ready for it. This is about your heart. Let it rest in the love of God. Use Mondays to run boldly to the throne of grace for help (Hebrews 4:16). Use Mondays to remind yourself that, no, you’re not enough, but Jesus is. No, you don’t have all it takes, but Jesus does. And in all your weakness, his grace is sufficient.
Third, spend time reading. Again, don’t dive deep into a thick systematic theology, unless you’re wired in such a way that systematic theologies are your relaxed readings. Use this time for something more devotional. Something that, yes, can still challenge your mind but nourish your soul.
Finally, grab a cup of coffee or lunch with a friend. This could be a friend in the church or a fellow pastor in your community. Go with no agenda, other than to spend time in fellowship with another follower of Jesus. Take thirty minutes or an hour to rest your heart and mind in trusted company. After all, it’s Monday, but Tuesday is coming, and Tuesdays tend to be better days.
This post originally appeared at Thoughts from the Hills.
Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/planner-on-a-table-7428866/
Mike is a small-town pastor and founder of Ozark Hills Church Consulting.