the word applied

A few months ago, I told a mentor friend, “I love how you honor people. You are one of the most encouraging leaders in my life.” His response surprised me, “You wouldn’t have liked me 20 years ago, Ted.”

As a pastor of a thriving church for more than 30 years, he ran at a pace that wore out his soul. He described his early leadership as harsh and demanding. It took retirement to reset his pace and recharge his heart for people. Today, I only see kindness in my friend. He is one of the most direct leaders I know, but delivers his exhortations with gentleness and compassion.

Lord willing, I have a few decades of ministry left. Like the Apostle Paul, I view those years as a race. I want to be able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). I want to finish well, and that requires that I run well, at a pace that is sustainable for my soul. Finishing strong means running well. What good is it for us to strive to lead thriving ministries, churches, or practices if we are not thriving physically, mentally, emotionally, or relationally?

Let’s look at four common ways we knock ourselves out of the race, but more importantly, how to safeguard ourselves, run well, and finish strong.

1. Exhaustion knocks you out of the race. You may have too much on your plate or be working outside your spiritual gifts. You may be tasked with an assignment you do not feel equipped or trained to do.

A vacation will not solve the exhaustion caused by overworking or running in the wrong lane. You need something greater than a vacation. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NIV). If you are doing work that is depleting your soul, pause right now and cry out to God. Share with Him your struggle and exhaustion. Ask Him to direct your next steps and give you rest. Pray for peace of heart and mind.

One common thread of exhaustion among highly driven people is that they believe they are the only ones capable of doing the work. They push people aside, thinking, “You’re not doing it like I do, so let me do it.” It is the same as saying, “If I want something done right, I have to do it myself.” This takes us to our next knockout blow.

One common thread of exhaustion among highly driven people is that they believe they are the only ones capable of doing the work.

2. Ego knocks you out of the race. Romans 12:3 (NIV) says, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought….” Are you chasing clicks or pats on the back? Are you seeking the praise of men?

When we started Woodland Hills Family Church years ago, our Facebook page was brand new. One day, I noticed that my wife gave our church a four-star review. Thinking it was a mistake, I asked her, “Amy, did you intend to give our church a four-star review on Facebook?”

She responded, “Well, we’ve got some work to do.” She later admitted it was unintentional, but I like how she rolled with it. It was a good check for my ego. I am happy to report that she has since changed it to five stars.

We all know how easy it is to fall into the ego trap. A few successes, a few people helped, or a few positive outcomes, and we begin thinking, “I’m a big deal.” That leads us to the third way to knock yourself out.

3. Unchecked power knocks you out of the race. You are a few decades into your race, and people respect you as a leader. You have success and influence, and no one questions you. You are in a position of authority, but have no authority over your life. We all need someone above us to hold us accountable and keep our egos in check.

love the scene in the movie, Saving Private Ryan, where the small group of guys tasked with finding Private Ryan start complaining to Captain Miller, played by Tom Hanks. After venting to Captain Miller, Private Reiben asks, “… Hey, so, Captain, what about you? I mean, you don’t gripe at all?” He replies, “I don’t gripe to you, Reiben. I’m a captain. There’s a chain of command. Gripes go up, not down….”¹

Let me encourage you to establish a chain of command over your life. If you don’t, you are headed for a great fall. Those in authority over you keep your ego in check and help you make big decisions in life. They help you see your blind spots.

4. Hidden sin knocks you out of the race. Our news feeds are full of stories of hidden sin brought to light. It seems that every week or two, we get another story of a leader who concealed sin, and it caught up to them. Proverbs 28:13 (NIV) says, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

When I hear of a fellow pastor who was knocked out of the race because of hidden sin, I wonder how they were able to minister effectively while carrying the weight of that sin. King David was physically, mentally, and emotionally depleted when he concealed his sin. In Psalm 32:3 (NIV), he cries out, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.” We must deal with our sin to thrive in life and ministry. Carey Nieuwhof, founding pastor of Connexus Church, author, and leadership podcaster, says, “To help you win, your friends have to call your sin.”²

My friends do not expect me to be perfect, but they do expect me to be honest. I often remind our church and staff that there are only two ways to leave a job: go out like spoiled milk or with a sheet cake in the conference room. I pray you get the sheet cake and hear the stories from family, friends, and co-workers of your faithfulness and perseverance.

Do the work God equipped you to do at a sustainable pace. Keep your ego in check. Establish authority over your life and welcome accountability. Run well and finish strong. ?

Endnotes

1. IMDb.com. (n.d.). Saving Private Ryan. IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120815/quotes/. ?

2. Nieuwhof, C. (2025, February 8). Thoughts megachurch pastors falling. CareyNieuwhof.com. https://careynieuwhof.com/some-thoughts-on-why-megachurch-pastors-keep-falling/.

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