Burn-out… It is the new craze!

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.