Thoughts on burn-out prevention...

I have been doing a lot of thinking and reflecting lately on where I "fit in" in the body of Christ. I suffer from a very common problem that many of you may be able to relate to. For some reason, I have a hard time saying the word "no."

Here's the deal. There are a lot of things I really enjoy doing, and a few that (I think) I do pretty well. The unfortunate situation is, I can get overly busy doing all of these things and eventually something (or everything) suffers because I get myself burnt out. I'm a husband, father, brother, son, son-in law.... these come first (second to my relationship with the Lord), I'm also an employee - I have to earn a living and take care of my family.

However, these things haven't always come before ministry and ministry opportunities. At times being a pastor, youth pastor, worship leader, camp speaker, bass player, teacher, student - have all taken that number one spot in my life. How does that happen?

Confession time! Let's face it - it's alluring to be in the spotlight. Especially if you are good at what you do. (You know you're good at it - c'mon, admit it!) Ministry can and should be fun! We should be using our talents for the Lord - He gave them to us! But, when it becomes all about "me" - it's "my" ministry, this is "my church", "my worship team" it's "my council" these are "my leaders" and that's "my classroom" or "my pulpit" - then we have a problem folks. Even when we're not in the spotlight, being "on" the team, so to speak wether with the 2yr-olds ministry, the worship team, the parking lot ministry, the church council, running sound or whatever can be a mixed blessing - it's easy to miss the big picture - serving.

If that we'ren't enough, we also have to admit that it feels great to be "needed" by people. When people come up to us and say - "We just couldn't do it without you...." We are stupid enough to believe it! I may be wrong, but I believe God can and does use whomever and whatever He chooses to achieve His purpose.

Does anyone remember the story of Balaam? How did God choose to get his word across? Did the donkey give a televised message to Balaam? Was he wearing an Italian suit and did he tell Balaam he could live his "best life" by turning back and going the other way? God doesn't "need" us as much as we think sometimes - and neither do the people we are supposed to be serving.

So what does this mean? I'm so glad you asked.

This has been a year of transition for me and my family. In the past I (and my wife) have been willing and able to serve. I have also (admittedlly) made quite a few mistakes in ministry over the years - namely by diving in, getting too busy, and burning-out. My family usually pays for it. More recently, I've grown a little wiser in that I will sometimes think before I say yes, but I still say yes too often.

So here's the dilemma - I find myself wanting to serve - but I'm a little skittish - afraid to commit because I don't want to over-commit. Still, there's a genuine tug in my heart to serve (yes, for the right reasons). Scripture tells us in Romans 12:5ff

"... in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[b]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."

My task then, is to seek the Lord and serve diligently where and when He wants me to. It's o.k. to say no, unless that would be disobedient. Neat!