Good morning! :) Our wonderful dog served as an extra special alarm clock when she started barking at 3:45 a.m. And after being jolted awake, I could not fall back asleep.

I laid quietly in bed for about 30 minutes and asked the Spirit to share with me whatever He desired.

I prayed for Bob Wilson. I prayed for some of the hurting marriages in our faith family. I prayed for wisdom on what the next steps for PCC look like.

In some cases, I felt as if the Spirit offered direction. In others, though, I felt as if the Spirit was inviting me into further relationship rather than just providing answers.

Realizing I was not going back to sleep, I got up, made my coffee, and started my morning routine—which includes a chapter of my Bible and a chapter of a book.

The book I am currently reading is called “The Emotionally Healthy Leader.” As I started this chapter, I recognized that Jesus woke me up to have unhurried time with Him today.

I am going to attach one page of the book. I am asking you to please read the page. I know that some people don’t like to read—but please make the time for this.

(Forgive the highlights. I use a highlighter because it helps to keep my mind engaged in what I am reading.)

What really struck me, however, are the three bullet points at the bottom of the page—and how the sentence directly above asks if we have normalized what shouldn’t be normal.

Because I do not know the personal relationship each of you have with Jesus, I cannot answer this question for each of you—but it is piercing.

Are we doing things *for* Jesus without spending time *with* Jesus?

Some of you might honestly say, “Yes. That’s me. I am so busy that I hardly spend time with Jesus—but I never stop doing things for Him. It’s how I serve Him.”

My encouragement is that Jesus is not looking for servants—but friends. He is not looking for activity—but relationship.

“I am the Vine. You are the branches. Abide in Me and you will bear much fruit. Apart from Me, you can do nothing,” He says in John 15.

And I don’t believe most of us should respond: “Well, then I just need to step back from what I am doing for Jesus on Sundays (or any day) so I can spend more time with Jesus.”

Rather, we should respond: “I need to slow down to make time to be with Jesus during the week, so my service for Him on Sunday (or any day) is out of an overflow—not duty.”

As someone recently shared with me: we choose our own busy. We fill our own calendars. We are the ones who say yes—and squeeze out time to be with Jesus.

Would you please take the time to read this page (I wish I could send you the whole chapter) and just sit to hear what Jesus may want to say to you?

As leaders, our work for Jesus should be a result or overflow of our worship of Jesus—but if we’re not careful, our work becomes our worship. And that’s a dangerous place.

Because God refused the work/worship of His people when they didn’t approach Him with sincere, surrendered hearts of love. He wants our love—more than our leadership.

Have a blessed day. I am so very thankful for you—and for what Jesus is doing in and through you.

If I can do anything for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out. God bless!