I'm wrecked today. It's been an absolutely hectic week physically and emotionally. I'm wrecked from migraines caused by the crazy Calgary chinook weather, from lack of sleep, from one family's terrible pain, from one person's broken knee, from moving from one agenda to the next, from the flourecent lights in my office, and from a really nasty bowl of raisin bran last night. I think that was the most rotten raisin I've ever chewed.
I'm not trying to complain… I'm just trying to say that the gas is leaking out of my tank and I'm worried somebody might throw a cigarette into it. Today is not a day I want to work hard. But work is a fact of life. I'd love to call in wrecked. I'd love to go back to bed. I'd love to ignore everything and everyone for a day and just sleep and not serve anything or anyone. But there is work to be done. There are people to care for today. There are responsibilities I need to fulfill and should not neglect. There are things that I should do for my own lingering good too. There are certain items that must be done today so that my kids are taken care of and so that my job requirements are accomplished.
So here's a question. In the state of mind I'm in right now, how do I live out the following verse today?
Romans 12:9 = Never be lazy in your work, but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
Dude…it’s those dang flourescent lights man…you gotta get those changed out and your life will be peachy in an instant, I promise! Just get your church to fly me out there and I’ll get ‘er done like nobody’s business.
They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength – in the busyness of life have you paused to wait on the Lord? As a wise friend once told me – “unless your input exceeds your output, your upkeeep will be your downfall”.
The work you have been called to do is to hard for you, for it is not by might, nor by power but by the Lord’s Spirit that you will be able to accomplish His work.
The New Living Bible did not do you a favor this morning in their translation of the passage. For in the NIV that verse reads “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
Remember you are not alone, and there are many people upholding you in prayer.
What is it that is required for work? Perhaps a day of rest in taking care of your soul is exactly the work you need to get yourself on proper track to do a proper ‘job’ of taking care of others? Maybe it is just that your contract with the church requires a certain number of hours, but perhaps we should not be so strict on such things. Life is messier than can be predicted and organized. A little bit of leeway for the soul care would be a nice addition to the traditional work schedule. I just think that taking this quote too literally drives far too many talented and God-yearning types into burn out.
Sorry your week is so crappy Ken. hope it picks up soon.
thanks ken. needed that today.