How is having a flexible schedule like owning a truck?
Well, when I owned a truck—which I loved by the way—I found friends easily that I didn’t even know I had because everyone needs a truck at some point.
When you have a flexible schedule—meaning you are not tied to certain hours of the day to complete your work—everyone assumes your time is available.
Even families can be guilty of this:
- Your schedule is flexible, so can you go to the bank?
- Your schedule is flexible, so can you stop by the store?
- Your schedule is flexible, so can I meet with you TODAY?
- Your schedule is flexible, so you probably have time to _____.
What they’re really saying is: "Your schedule is flexible, so you must be available…"
As a pastor, I don’t have an 8 to 5 job, that’s true. I can change my schedule quickly, that’s true. But just because I have a flexible schedule doesn’t necessarily mean I’m available…
- I always have projects I’m working on
- I have sermons to write
- I have assignments, responsibilities, obligations
- I need time to plan, prepare and dream
- In spite of a flexible schedule, in spite of being fairly disciplined and working lots of hours, I never seem to have enough time to do all that needs to be done
So my schedule is flexible, but it might not always be open.
I see lots of pastors struggle with the tension a flexible schedule creates for them. Some handle it well, others, in the extreme cases, let it destroy them. They are constantly trying to meet every need that comes to them and seldom have time to do the things that must get done.
