Recently… as in since college I guess, I have
been overwhelmed with this new craze of “burn-out”. Now it is not called that, if it were people
wouldn’t be going crazy to sign up for it like they currently are! Nay nay… it goes by other, more appealing
names like, “coaching soccer” or “being a Sunday school teacher” or “running
this really cool new program”. The
problem is not any one of those things- they are all great, and people are
needed for them… the phenomenon of Burn-out is that ONE person signs up to do
them all- whilst living their life, taking care of their other job, family, and
relationships to boot.
I love service- serving is great and I
strongly feel we are all called to serve, however we aren’t called to serve in
EVERYTHING. Just because it is good doesn’t mean you have to do it. I
personally find it frustrating when I want to build friendships with people-
and they are busy doing these eight other things (not that I am innocent of
this at all- but being the recipient has helped me see the issue more fully).
It is great to help out and serve in any of these ways, but if that comes at
the expense of having your own time to rest and refresh, especially in the
Lord, then it is NOT a good thing- no matter how great the job/title/program
sounds.
Jesus was busy doing ministry all over-
healing people, giving lessons, visiting friends, teaching the disciples, etc.
but you know what he valued and guarded? We look to Luke 5:16 which says “But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness
and pray.” If whatever you are doing takes away from your time to pray- to
be with God- to refresh… then what are you doing it for? Because it isn’t for God at that point- it is
for some other person, applause or yourself… the ones that you are going to or
seeking the most. It could even be the
image of God you’ve created- because how do you really know someone who don’t
spend any time with? Don’t become so busy doing things FOR God, that you forget
to spend time WITH God. If Jesus needed to get away- how much more so do
we?
The
solution to burn-out? Rest! Jesus did it- sometimes it means saying NO and
guarding that which is more important.
The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, and he will use whatever
means available to do that- even “good” things and worthy-just causes.
