Burdens Can Get Heavy

I've posted quite a bit about being busy and the struggle it is.

I was reading through some bookmarks today and came across this great article on carrying burdens you weren't intended to carry. I thought I blogged about it and linked to it previously, but now I can't seem to find it. So, I'm doing it again.

It's found on a website called Keeper of the Home (click here). I'm not endorsing the site, since I haven't perused the entire thing. I just really like this article. Hope you enjoy!

In His Strength

I often do things because the need is great or there is urgency in the request.

Here are two more quotes from Brother K.P.'s booklet The Lord's Work Done in the Lord's Way that challenged me:

"One of these well-meaning actions, for example, is taking on work that God did not give to us, just because the need is so great, the opportunities seem unlimited, and we are driven by urgency." (18) "In fact, it seems the more we take the time to wait and hear from the Lord, the more actual work that we do--but rather in His strength, not ours. This is how the Lord's work is done in His way--by loving Him more than the ministry He gave us to do...." (20)

I saw this in action today. From an outsider looking in, I probably appeared rushed, crazy and hectic. Maybe the tasks looked overwhelming. They look too big when I look from my own perspective too. But, when I look through the eyes of the Lord and go from moment to moment in His strength, I am able. More than able.

It is such a freeing thing to walk in His strength. It is such a freeing thing to let go and only do the things God has given me to do. What joy is found in freedom!

Busyness - Family First but Not Only Focus

*I wrote this post almost two months ago as the Lord was teaching me about busyness. I came back to it this morning and found that I needed to read it as much as I can imagine anyone else needing it. So, hopefully it will bless you too.

My number one ministry is my family--Joel and my three children. But, even my ministry to them can be lacking in fruit if not based on the time I spend with the Lord first.

K.P. writes

"If we continue the work without His direction, leading and strength, it won't be His work at all, It will be only a hollow shell that might look all right but in reality has no life and bears no lasting fruit." (26)

I can train my kids using the Bible as my guideline, but if I haven't spent time with Jesus, getting His direction for the day, for the situation, for the particular child, then my ministry to my children will have no lasting fruit. My attempts to love my husband will be worthless.

While my ministry to my family is first and foremost, I do not plan to make my own life, my own home, and my own family my idol. I could easily get lazy if I only poured all my energies inwardly in an attempt to be less busy.

I want my home to be a refuge for my family, a comfortable and welcoming place for our friends and neighbors. I like beauty. But I can idolize it. I can spend way too much time (and money) focusing on just my kids, my home, and our comfort.

I know that as I continue to grow where God has me right now and spend time with Him each day, He will show me the balance between serving my family and serving outside my home.They say more snow is coming our way tomorrow. I'm refusing to believe it right now. I choose warmth and sunshine and springtime. Can't I have my way?

Good quote.

Besides the noble art of getting things done, master the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of nonessentials. --Lin Yutang

Busyness can often happen because we just can't say no to things.

I did a study called "Boundaries" back in college. In fact, I did it twice.

I should probably revisit the outlines just to refresh my memory.

Why do we think that doing lots of things means we're being effective in our life? Doing a few things very well is much more effective. Much more satisfying.

More Busyness Being Busted--Seeking Balance

So, how does this balance of busyness work? The opposite of being busy would be being lazy.

I certainly don't want to be lazy.

I already struggle with getting everything done around my house--laundry, meals, shopping for groceries, dusting, sweeping, mopping, make beds, clean bathrooms, wash dishes, declutter all the paper that accumulates, keep things picked up...

I struggle with that because I don't like doing a lot of it, not so much because of time! I use other things to crowd out chores so I can then say I didn't have time to do them.

Hey, I'm being honest here!

So, I choose to be busy with other things outside keeping my home. Naturally, in order to maintain priorities (my family being number one and a well-cared for home being part of that), I need to let go of some of the "other things".

Another thing that keeps me busy a lot of times is wasted time.

I tend to find myself wasting time if I don't have a plan. Days go by with little productivity if there's nothing on the schedule.

So, does this mean I should cut off all ministry outside my home? I don't think so.

Does this mean I should cut back some? Probably.

How do you choose? You don't.

You ask the Lord what He wants you to be doing. That's my whole point. (Well, that's God's point in what He's teaching me.)

So, do we just sit around waiting until we know for sure?

In his booklet The Lord's Work Done in the Lord's Way, K.P. Yohannan writes

"Please understand I am not saying that it is better to forsake the work of the ministry to pursue the "deeper life" of just drawing close to God in solitude. There are some who give such great emphasis on this "deeper life," yet so much of the actual work that God has for them goes neglected under the license of "waiting" upon Him. This can often just be a glorified laziness--and there are plenty of verses throughout Scripture that speak of the downfall of the sluggard ( see Proverbs 21:25)."

We look to Jesus as our example. He was a very busy man--traveling, speaking, healing, teaching. But, He spent time with His Father away from the crowd. Everything He did flowed from this relationship.

I don't think God is telling me to stop serving in our ministry office, mentoring new staff, serving in preschool on Sundays, helping my friends, having people over for meals, being the room mom for Rylee's class, and seeking new ways to be creative. I think He's telling me I just need to ask Him each and every day what He wants for me for that day. I think He wants me to continually sit before Him and place each thing, as it comes, on the altar and let Him decide.

My friends who think I do a lot might not see a big difference. They might still think I'm busy.

But, I'm also continuing to learn that shouldn't matter. I like how K.P. says it

"We shouldn't worry about how things look, what people might be saying, or whether or not there are the results we thought there would be. Our number-one concern must be to know Him and His ways and to follow His lead." (32)

Okay, really?

This story was sent to me today and seemed to hit the nail on the head and drive it a little further deep into the wood of my heart!(The previous two posts were on busyness and what it seems the Lord is teaching me right now. Click the "previous post" link at the bottom to read those two entries.)

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.

When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and start to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured it into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things - God, family, children, health, friends, and favorite passions. If everything else was lost and only these things remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and car.

The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So...

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Wholeheartedly worship your God
Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups and exercise (for health; not vanity). Spend time with your spouse.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the dripping tap.

'Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled.

'I'm glad you asked'.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

More on Busyness

This morning I had a really good time with the Lord. I picked up a Bible study someone gave me and did the first lesson. I sat. I listened. Then, I picked up another little booklet. I actually read the whole thing because the message was right on target with what the Lord began yesterday.

The booklet is called "The Lord's Work Done in the Lord's Way". It's written by K.P. Yohannan and is available for free download by going to the GFA website here.

Yesterday I posted about busyness. I said I had worn busyness like a badge of honor. I would "brag" about my busyness.

The first Bible study I worked on this morning is by Beth Moore (surprise, surprise). It's called "Living Free". It's a workbook with 5 lessons for 6 weeks. I plan to do it by myself and enjoy the time with the Lord.

In the introduction of Beth's book, she talks about a woman who has contacted her and is struggling with an eating disorder. The woman struggles with being a perfectionist and, consequently, struggles with her body image but also in her relationship with God. She's never good enough. Beth reminded readers that we can never do enough. We can never earn favor or a right place with God.

Often times my own busyness comes from trying to please man. It comes from seeing the need and knowing I have the ability to meet it. It also comes from my need to show my worth.

I said earlier that I've "bragged" about busyness. While it wasn't my intention at the time, I look back at it and can see it clearly for what it was. I was trying to justify--my life, my choices, my worth.

We are supported missionaries. If I am not able to "show" everyone what I'm doing, how can they justify supporting us?

That's just one of the strongholds I'm taking captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:4). This new study by Beth will involve just that--identifying strongholds and using Scripture to take them captive to the obedience of Christ. Thinking I need to justify myself is a lie. It's not truth.

The booklet by K.P. also spoke directly to this. On page 29 K.P. talks about Ezekiel 44 and the two groups of people that are serving God--the Levites and the sons of Zadoc. The Levites are busy in the outer courts, serving the people. ** The sons of Zadoc ministered in the inner court, where they stood still and it was quiet. There was no busyness for the sons of Zadoc. Their service was to come into the holy of holies and minister to the Lord.

Brother K.P. challenges the reader by asking "which group are you in?"

So, which group? Way too often I could care less about being like the sons of Zadoc. I want to be with the people. I want to see others like me who are struggling, enjoy the laughter, look important, feel needed. I want to remain busy and feel useful.

I'm pretty sure the Lord is chiseling away at my heart right now. This is just way too much on the same topic coming all at the same time. He's up to something.

Bring in on, Lord! I really do want to be in love with You and doing nothing on my own.

**This is an especially good picture to me. I did the Beth Moore study on the Tabernacle and then taught it to the youth group. We built a replica of the tabernacle and then had an experiential worship service for adults. It is one of my most fond memories in youth ministry--because I grew immensely during that time.

There's so much more God showed me even this morning. So, if you like this topic, come back for more. If you don't, you might have to wait a little while to see something else!

Being Busy--is it a good thing?

Today's teaching at church was done by our youth pastor. He was teaching in Acts and talking about true community. He expressed his belief that busyness is in direct conflict with being able to build community.

I agree.

I think we lack relationships that are deep because we're too busy to spend the amount of time it takes to develop them. You can't see someone for an hour a week and expect to know them well.

But, the issue of busyness is a problem in general, not just when looking at community and relationships.

Several years ago I came to realize that I wore busyness like a badge of honor. I was proud of my busy schedule. It was as if I thought being busy meant I was important, doing good things, and being a more contributing members of society.

None of that could be farther from the truth. It wasn't an honor to be busy. It was a burden. Being busy means you have little time to relax and rest. God told us to rest. He even set it as an example for us by resting on day 7 of creation!

Being busy made me feel important. What a crock! Often times, we are incredibly busy because we are leading too many projects or are involved in a variety of activities. When I'm involved in too many things, I can't give proper attention to any of them! I can't develop true relationships with people in those various activities because I only have a limited amount of time to give them.

Not being busy means I have to say no. I'm not the greatest at this, but I'm learning. I have to remember that my saying no to one thing is like saying yes to another. Sometimes I say no to something because I want to say yes to being a better wife, spending more time with my kids, or investing in friendships I already have established.

My December was busy. Part of it was just the season...everyone wants to have a Christmas party--including me! We had school activities, family visiting, ministry functions, church events. It was all good stuff. I made sure to limit some things to make room for the busyness of the season. But, now that we're getting ready to start back into our "normal" routine, I'm trying to keep my calendar less cluttered.

I don't want to think of being busy as a badge of honor. I want to wear peace. I want to walk a little slower. I want to do a few things well instead of many things mediocre.

How do you view busyness? Has it been a problem for you?