By Myckelle Williams
10/28/2013
As we begin to create our fall schedules, a few of us are surprised in realizing just how many activities that we have piled on our plate. Many times we really have good intentions when we take on these extra activities, and want to be nice, helpful, ‘good Christians’, but we find ourselves burdened with more responsibilities than we are able to handle, which results in getting burned out and overwhelmed in the process. God does not call us to commit to everything, nor help everyone out there. He says that there is a time for everything, (Eccl. 3:1-8) and that we should also most importantly use wisdom in making decisions. (Pro. 4:7)
In Matthew 11: 28, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” So if you are constantly stressed, and feel no rest and no peace in your daily life and activities, then somewhere you are out of line with your priorities in the Body of Christ.
If Jesus came to your home tonight for only one hour, what would he see? A life of chaos and commotion, or a peaceful place in which he feels welcome? How would you want to spend that hour with him? Running around handling business, on the computer or phone, or focused on sitting at his feet, learning, absorbing, loving on Him, and questioning Him about all the issues of life? It’s time to starts scheduling your life as if Jesus is already the center attraction and living as if he indeed the main priority.
The best gift that we can give to ourselves and others is the gift of NO. Learning when not to do something, even if its ministry or helping someone out. Learning to set boundaries and limits, turn down requests, and listening to God’s voice on whether or not to even undertake a project in the first place will save us a lot of stress in the long run. It’s better to do one thing at 100%, than give five things 25%, because you are not doing anyone any favors running on an empty tank of gas! Then when you get burnt out and overwhelmed, you end up not getting anything accomplished at all.
It is not God’s Will that we become another man’s SOURCE. If someone is coming to you for every problem and constantly need help (and despite what advice and assistance you always give them, they seem to always end up in the same predicament), then that is a sign that you are their source rather than God. It is not our job to take the place of God in anyone’s life, nor to get in God’s way when he is dealing with someone who may be in rebellion. This is why it is so important to seek Him first, before you make any important decisions when dealing with others.
Before you start a new project ask yourself the following 5 questions:
