We just got back from a short vacation in Virginia and boy am I tired. It seems like every time Marci, Will, and I go on vacation we come back more tired than when we left. I took this picture at UVA when Will yawned at yet another statue of Thomas Jefferson. It makes me yawn just looking at it.
Why are we so tired today? Could it be that we are spread so thin and scared to say the one syllable word that everyone is afraid of.......NO?? As Christians, we are taught to go to church, volunteer for everything, get involved, and don't even think about saying no to anyone for any reason. Don't get me wrong, I love my church and I am tickled to death to be involved in men's ministry leadership and I am not putting down the church or forsaking the sacred assembly, I just want to tell my story.
When I first became a christian and got involved in my church, I wanted to do everything, help everybody, and I felt it was my mission to save the church from mediocrity!!!!! I got busier and busier and ran along great for about a year but then things started getting tough. There was alot of spiritual attacks on me and my family and especially in the ministries we were involved in. Most of it was of the "he said, she said" variety and differences of opinion. But, they were obviously firey darts thrown by the enemy to discourage me and harden my heart against the church. When I was at a spiritual low point, I sought the counsel of a very wise person that told me "the church was doing fine before you, and will do fine after you but you need to let God lead you to where you will make the most impact". It was at that point I realized that I needed to find out where my interests lie and what my spiritual gifts are. So, what did I do??? I didn't quit everything and go on a "walkabout" or have a "vision quest", I just eased my way out of a few commitments and started saying no to some. And guess what, there were people from all over the place jumping to fill the vacancies I had created. But the greatest thing I did during this "sabatical" was pray. I prayed through and asked God to reveal in my heart what my calling was and where his will for my life resided. It took patience but God lead me to concentrate on Men's Ministry as my full time area of involvement. He revealed to me that seeing other men come alive is what makes me come alive! It is a blessing to pour myself into one group and know that my talents are being used. I'm excited about the future too! I wonder what God has instore for me next that I can use my talents on.
Sunday, April 9, 2006
I Yawn Because I'm Tired
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4 COMMENTS...:
Donnie, I think it was Rick Warren that said "You only have enough time in your day to do His will". Something tells me that the yawns of the day are created by our involvement in good things, but not His things for our lives. Press on brother.
Hook-my husband loves Rick Warren. Reads his devotional daily.
Donny-You are preaching what I have been preaching for years! At one church where we pastored I held SEVEN positions! It nearly killed me! When we were sent to our next church I told my husband "Never again! I will hold one or two positions and if the other stuff doesn't get done, it doesn't get done!" I couldn't possibly do my best doing all of that, being spread so thin! And I was keeping others from doing what they were supposed to do!
When we met the elders at our current church BEFORE we even came to Galesburg, we met a couple in the church doing almost everything! My husband and I immediately said,"One of the first orders of business is to get some of that off of their shoulders!" We talked with them, told them to pray and get back with us. Let us know what is really on your HEART as a ministry! They are now our worship leaders and doing a great job! He is still and elder and she helps in so many behind the scenes things, but they are not so overwhelmed.
God did not come up with the phrase, "Burn out for Jesus!"
It leads to disillusionment and people being out of God's will.
You're right on the mark Libby. To much of the time we are spread too thin and it hurts us. I've been in that valley and don't want to end up there ever again. Instead of trying to do everything, we need to let God lead us into where he wants us! That way we will be fullfilling his good and perfect will.
Donny -
It's interesting that you said, "I've been in that valley and don't want to end up there ever again". Last month, my pastors (Darrell & Libby Garrett), my husband & I went to a Worship Conf. (Eagles' Wings Ministries) and one of the things they pressed upon us is, "We don't have to go from Mountain top to valley - to Mountain top...we can go from Mountain top to Mountain top - from Glory to Glory".
Isn't that awesome!!! I've been praying that God help me to REALLY go from Glory to Glory. Even when LIFE happens - that God will help me step OVER the valley to the next Mountain top.
~Amber
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