Holy Week or HELL Week?!?!

Easter is always a wonderful time of year for those who consider themselves Christians. The weather is getting warmer (unless you live in Indiana). The flowers are blooming and you get lots of candy from the Easter Bunny. But for many Pastors, including myself, I find Easter to be one of the most stressful times of the year.

My schedule looks like this...
-Start planning for Easter about the first of the year
-Have several meeting between the first of the year and Easter week
-Do something for Palm Sunday
-Set up and facilitate the Stations of the Cross for the entire Church
-Run a stations of the Cross service on Wednesday
-Run Family Communion Night on Thursday
-Participate in Good Friday service
-Run an Easter egg Hunt on Sat (which I organized and planned)
-Not to mention Sunday's stuff: sunrise service, church wide breakfast, teach
Sunday school, go to normal service, and then we have our youth service
that night.

Long and short of it......I'm so busy "Celebrating" Holy Week that I find myself tired, annoyed, and not happy about it at all.

So if you find yourself where I am, here are a few tips to get yourself through Hell... I mean Holy Week.

1. Make sure you are spending PERSONAL time reflecting on Holy Week.I find myself saying that I'm spending so much "church time" reflecting on Holy Week I don't need my personal time.....WRONG..... Never underestimate the personal journey!!!

2.Make sure to build into your schedule quality time with your family. Spending time with my family always reminds me of God's great love and recharges me. Schedule specific time during Holy week to spend with your family...if you don't schedule it, you and I both know it won't happen and by the end of the week your family won't even recognize you. (P.S. Spend some time reflecting on Holy Week as a family. Don't just lead at church....lead at home too.)

3.Don't "go" to church and "run" the event...ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE!!!
To often we get so focused on "running" the event we don't participate and miss a great chance to ministry to God and be an active part of the Church. Don't loose focus or space out....STAY ENGAGED AND PRESENT.

4. Go in late...Make sure your getting your sleep, if your boss will let you, don't feel guilty for coming into the office late if you need some extra sleep. (P.S. Don't be a tool and take advantage of this either!)

These are things that I have found that help my Holy Week truly be a great experience and not a HELL Week. Hope this helps you!!!

"Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is NOT here; he has risen, just as he said." Matt 28:5-6a

Lovingly Cheering Each of You On!!!
-Zach