Two of my favorite one lines are… “You always have time, each day, to do what God wants you to do” and “To be willing to die for Christ is not the same thing as killing yourself for Him.” The Lord gets no glory when we “wear ourselves out” in service to Him. I am further convinced there are three alternatives when you also add to “rust out” and “burn out.” I believe it is important to order your day and your time so that you rest in your work, as well as taking seasons of rest from your work – for refreshing, renewing and energizing. We must constantly be aware of extreme busyness and un-dealt-with stress. Extreme busyness is only one step from burnout. The church does not need another “work
Vacationing on the NC Outer Banks one summer, the Lord showed me how important I was to His Kingdom. I needed this because I did not think I was – since the previous year I had been asked to leave the church I had pastored for 7 years. It had taken all my energy and strength organizing a week’s worth of responsibilities where I worked just to be able to go to the beach. I was tired, literally worn out, discouraged, and feeling not much use. The first three days I spent in bed or near it. On the fourth day I began to stir around and interact with the family who were there with me. They were happy to see that I was alive. We decided to go to the First Flight Museum at Kitty Hawk. While listeni
The boat rests on the shore. The oars are poised for use. It is such a quiet scene, and one which I love to enjoy. It speaks to me of rest and peace. Its tranquility is inviting, if I could just take time to enjoy moments like this. My life is so hectic, and I can’t seem to slow down for even a minute it seems. Yet I desire to get a way to a place to be encouraged again by God. “That was me,” remarked one pastor as he slipped out of the hammock after really resting for a couple hours. “I need to do this more often,” he said.
