What's Your Burden?

I've been reading through the Book of Jeremiah and God has really opened my eyes to some things... One thing I read this morning shook me... Jeremiah 23:33 says,

Suppose one of the people or one of the prophets or priests asks you, 'What prophecy has the Lord BURDENED (emphasis mine) you with now?'  You must reply, YOU are the burden!  The Lord says He will abandon you!'

When I read that, it hit me... many times I'm burdened by the things that affect the daily operations of Journey Church... the finances, the process, the leadership, volunteers, the worship service, preparing messages... but I need a jolt like this sometime to remind me that, as a pastor/church planter, the primary burden, the load that I carry and lead others to pick it up as well... is people who are far away from God.  People who are living life disconnected from God and from the Church.  If I'm not careful I can miss it... and I'm a pastor!-- You would think this would always be on my mind... I have to admit... just like you, the things of life shift my burden (finances, kids, jobs, health, marriage, etc.) and it takes spending time seeking God's wisdom in His Word and it helps me focus on why we exist as a church... to help ordinary people become passionate Christ followers. I hope that you share that burden for people with me...so much so that you'll see people differently today.  You'll look for an opportunity to invest in someone who is far from God and you'll invite them to come to Journey with you this weekend.   I want to be able to pray with you for the person/people you're inviting, so leave me a comment with the name(s) of the people you're burdened for and I will pray that God would do something God-sized in their lives.  And when you bring them to church with you, please make sure you introduce us... I'd love to meet  them.