My wife and I used to live in a small flat on the sixth floor of an apartment block. We loved its balcony views and simplicity. And there was no yard work to do! But our little home had its problems, one in particular—a limited power supply.
The trouble came when running two power-hungry appliances at once. Put the oven on along with the dishwasher and within minutes the fuse would trip and we’d find ourselves in the dark.
On one occasion, I realized that appliances weren’t the only thing struggling for energy in our home. I was too. In addition to a full-time job, I was preaching, leading small groups, and running training courses in our church—while contributing to other ministries. I was taking on a quantity of service beyond my ability and my circuits were overloaded.
It’s easy for committed Christians to misread a verse like, “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Paul was talking about adapting to whatever resources he had (see vv.12,14), not expecting God to have him work beyond his physical capacities. It’s important to recognize our energy limits and to steward them well.
God has written an energy-renewal day into every week (Genesis 2:2-3). Jesus made time to recharge (Luke 5:15-16) and He confronted Martha about being too focused on work (Luke 10:38-42). When His disciples needed a break, Jesus took them to “a quiet place” (Mark 6:31). Christian service can require sacrifice, but we’re not called to workaholism.
To keep things humming, my wife and I had to reduce how many appliances we ran. To live well, I had to reduce my ministry commitments. In Jesus, we find both the example and provision to live within healthy limits.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 15:1-10
More:
Read Matthew 11:29-30 and think about what it means to rest in Jesus.
Next:
How often are you weary or stressed from church work? What leads you to take on more than you should? How can you better define healthy limits?
Gary Shultz on August 14, 2016 at 2:34 am
Hi Sheridan, I still see that old rule still exist, 20% of the people do 80% of the work. I saw friends that loved the Lord get weary and burn out, some never recovered to any useful service. And I had to define useful service. For me nothing was more useful than just “being”. Standing in God’s presence figuring out I didn’t need to do, I needed to be. I’m sure you know this principle, so I’m not preaching. Once my attention energy and effort was channeled directly with God and not even “church work” stood in the way, God began to unfold what I should be doing, in dramatic fashion. God doesn’t need me to do anything, He wants me to work with Him before working for Him. I am plugged into the Source now I feel “wired”. Thanks Sheridan.
hsnpoor on August 15, 2016 at 11:27 am
Wonderful testimony, Gary! The Beatitudes are really about the right attitude of being in right relationship with God—-“be-attitudes”. And there is not a person who ever lived, is living now or will live in the future, save Jesus, who can live up to those standards of being. Oh, but for Jesus and the Spirit of God within us that is the power source to trigger compliance and make it happen, if we’re willing to be living sacrifices to His purposes and plans. Courage, Saints! Let’s let the LORD work things out HIS way and stop telling Him what we think and want and seek hard after what He thinks and wants from us, right where we are. Right now; today, this moment.
hsnpoor on August 15, 2016 at 11:28 am
I think I needed to preach that to myself….
purestrength on August 14, 2016 at 9:26 am
When I was a young Christian I read a version of this verse that said, ” I can do everything God asks me to do through Christ who strengthens me.” I have always been of service in many different areas of the church and have used this verse as a filter so that I don’t get overwhelmed. The Lord has always supplied the skill, materials and energy for the tasks he has called me to. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
sandy229 on August 14, 2016 at 11:09 am
Thank you for your words today Sheridan. I always enjoy reading your devotions. I really like your podcasts too!! I share this verse with my son whenever he is overwhelmed, but he tells me I am taking it out of context because there are things he can’t do. He has Asperger Syndrome and wasn’t diagnosed until recently. He is 40 years old and now living on his own for the first time. His father went to be with the Lord last November so his brother, my oldest son moved him to Las Vegas where he lives.
crossman61 on August 14, 2016 at 12:23 pm
Thank you Sheridan for the lesson on our limits . We do need to be careful not to take on too much at one time , we all have our breaking points . And we do need to take the time to recharge . Or we risk burning out , or tripping out as you say in your analogy . Good Analogy , Have a great day