Earlier this year, an instrumental pastor of mine, Rev. Dr. Mike Landreth, passed away suddenly. Since his death, I have been reflecting on our conversations — from when I was a young teen to when he spoke at my very own service of ordination over a decade later. I have been cherishing his wise counsel as I remember him and our time together.

Throughout my decade in ministry as a pastor, I’ve often wondered what constitutes “enough.” How does a pastor know when they are done with work for the day? How far should pastors go in helping to remedy the relentless brokenness of the world?

Especially these days, when it is clear just how much work remains to be done, I find myself asking how I can do the most good possible each day. I also wonder how I will sustain myself for the long game of love and justice in the days and years to come.

These questions illustrate the weight of ministry — a weight that comes with a never-ending to-do list of meaningful connections to make, service opportunities to promote, and moments to show up for my community in advocating for God’s love. If the work is never done, then what is enough?

These thoughts often bring me back to one of the nuggets of wisdom Mike shared with me at my ordination: No nail prints? Not the Savior!

He said: “Should you ever feel the absolute need to save someone or something, take a quick look at your hands and feet. No nail prints? Then you are not the Savior. But you do work for God. Do what you can. Leave the rest for God.”

On days when all that remains undone feels overwhelming, I remember his words from all those years ago. Reminding myself that I am not God incarnate—only a pastor—helps me close my eyes at night and quiet my mind enough to find rest. With God’s help, I know I’ll rise again tomorrow to continue the ministry God has for me.

But Mike’s words don’t let me — or any other pastor — off the hook. While he reminded us that we are not God, he also emphasized that we do work for God! I think (and hope) that all pastors are drawn to this line of work because of Jesus’ awe-inspiring and life-transforming ministry of love. That love is what motivates us to do the hard but beautiful work of ministry and sustains us in the long game of love and justice day after day.

As pastors, we are in privileged positions of power, and we simply must do the work Jesus modeled for us. We must do what we can.

It’s precisely because Mike’s words don’t let us off the hook that I know he felt the weight of this existential question — “What is enough?”— in his own ministry as well. It comforts me to know that I’m not alone in wrestling with these questions about my calling. It also comforts me to remember that this work is not mine alone. I am doing this work as a co-conspirator with the Triune God, following in the footsteps of those who have pastored before me and alongside those who pastor with me now. Doing what I can is enough because it isn’t my work alone that will save this world. Instead, this world is being saved through all our collective efforts — with God.

During my ordination service, Mike also told me this:
“You are entering the greatest profession on Earth — and I don’t say that because I was privileged to serve for 41 years. You get to be a pastor, a prophet, a preacher, and a professor every day of your life. It will never be boring. It may be the best and worst times — the happiest and saddest —the most challenging and mundane. Very few are privileged to have such a great life.”

So here’s my advice to you, my fellow pastor: The next time you wonder if your work is enough, remember Mike’s words and check your hands. No nail prints? Not the Savior. God’s got this — now let’s get to work.