Overcommitted
As a train enthusiast, the news made me a bit sad: The Royal Train will be decommissioned.
According to the article in Town & Country Magazine, “A royal train has been used by the British monarchy since the reign of Queen Victoria, who was a fan of rail travel. Her successor King Edward VII ordered a new train in the model of the Royal Yacht. In 1977, British Rail built new carriages for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip to mark her Silver Jubilee. The current Royal Train consists of nine carriages: seven royal and two support vehicles.”
The train travel is coming to a close, primarily due to financial constraints. It simply costs too much to travel by rail. According to T&C, “In the last financial year, the royal accounts cited two journeys taken on the Royal Train by the King. One, in May 2024, cost £33,147 and another, in February 2025, cost £44,822.” Times change and costs rise. The royal yacht was decommissioned in 1997.
If the royals need to change the way they do things, perhaps we should take a look at our own lives as well. While this could apply to a whole range of areas (our churches, homes, and budgets), I'm thinking primarily of our own schedules and commitments. We may still be doing some things that have become too costly and are not a good return on investment.
When was the last time you prayerfully and honestly took a look at your time and commitments?
I'm convinced that most pastors are doing Too Much!
At the age of 92, Billy Graham said that if he could do it all over again, he would change some things. His exact words were:
“‘I would study more. I would pray more, travel less, take less speaking engagements. I took too many of them in too many places around the world,’ he said. ‘If I had it to do over again, I’d spend more time in meditation and prayer and just telling the Lord how much I love Him and adore Him and [am] looking forward the time we’re going to spend together for eternity.’” 1
Pastor, you don't have to serve on every committee, board, or team. You don't have to say “yes” to every invitation. And if you are currently overcommitted, you don't have to stay that way forever!
May I suggest that you make a list of all your current commitments and then prayerfully consider each one?
Be brave enough to make the necessary changes.
If the royal family can do it, so can you.