September 2016

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

How are you?  How is life treating you?  Are you ready for a break?  Need a vacation or do you just want to quit?  You have had enough and you already have so much going on that you are feeling burned out.  I know the feeling as do most busy people.  You are not alone and there are things you can do to ease the stress so that you will keep on keeping on.

Burnout is something all organizations, especially churches, have to deal with.  A church cannot operate without workers.  In fact, you might as well say that if the people burn out the church has burned out because the people are the church and vice a versa. A building with all the furniture and curriculum is nothing more than an inanimate object without the people. Yet in this day and age our society is overwhelmed with things to do, busy schedules, and the constant pressure to do more.  I have been told that if you want something done ask a busy person to do it.  That is true but also dangerous for that person who faces burnout. So do we take a break and walk away from the ministry, you know, let someone else have a turn?  The Apostle Paul would say, "No, run the race until it is finished" and "fight the good fight of faith".  Now is the time to knuckle down and hang in there because time is growing short and many people are falling away from the faith.  Oh no! a doom and gloom guy!!  Yes, I am of the opinion that we live in the last days. Read Matthew 24 and think about what is going on in the world today.  Whether I am right or wrong doesn't really matter because the church still needs you to serve the Lord by serving the church. 

Take a long hard look at your priorities.  Is there anything you can do without?  Is there anything beyond your control? (if so then don't worry about it). Which of your priorities has eternal importance? Which of your priorities fulfills the scripture from John 14:15, "(Jesus said) If you love me you will obey my commands". Old illustration: take a large mouth jar and fill it with golf balls.  Is it full?  Really? Add some marbles?  Is it full now?  How about adding some sand.  Ok, now is it full?  Add some water.  That should do it.  Moral of the story is: don't sweat the small stuff. take care of the big stuff and the other things will fall into place.  I know.  You have questions and what ifs.  This may sound trite but PRAY, read the Bible, Praise the Lord, take a deep breath and smell the roses(count your blessings) and then get back to work.  The church needs you, I need you, and the world/lost need you.  There will come a time for us to rest but until we cross over we have to put our best foot forward and trust in God for everything else.

God loves you and so do I,

Pastor Bruce