over-working | considering the word

“He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself.” Mt. 14:13

Something in ministry that we all worry about it being available to the people. We should be, but we must remember that need to be refreshed, as well. If we are modeling our lives after Jesus, then let’s model this part of our lives after Him, as well.

Even Jesus would separate Himself for times of emotional recharging (as in the verse above), or times of prayer. That ensured that when He would come back to the people He would have something to give them besides a frazzled, “I’m hanging on by a thread and just barely getting things done”, exhausted, Lord who is only giving them pieces of Himself; or a Lord who hasn’t prayed in 3 days because He hasn’t found the time.

Throughout the gospels you will find Scriptures that show Christ getting away by Himself, or getting away with those closest to Him…away from the multitudes…just to recharge and refocus. See Mt. 17 when He took Peter, James, and John up on the mountain. It was just the 4 of them and they went for 1 special reason. Not everyone was invited to this. Not all 12 disciples, not the whole crowd; and Jesus didn’t just go alone for this one. These were the ones He needed to be with.

It is ok for us to put our phones away for an hour or 2 (get away from the multitude), go off with our certain one or few for something special (or nothing special), or spend time alone recharging so that when we come back we have more to give in our ministries.

Each time Jesus came back from one of those times, the multitudes were waiting and there was work to do. He had compassion on them and got to work, but He was refueled and ready. The work of ministry (and life) will never end, so we must take care to carve out those times of ‘departing’ on our own. No one else can do that for us…no one will.

Let’s be like Jesus and depart from multitude before it gets out of hand. Schedule it if you need to. Refocus, recharge, and come back recharged and ready for ministry…just like Jesus did.

And when He went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with great compassion for them…

jamie

Pr. 23:4: “Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease!”

A month after Donnie and I were married, I accepted a higher-paying promotion at work. I soon learned; however, that promotions are not always worth accepting. Although my manager promised to fill the position I previously held, there was a significant amount of stalling and I worked both positions for over a year.

I would wake up at 4:30 a.m. to make the long commute to be at work at 6:00. Most days I would arrive back home between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. Add to that the numerous times I had to fill in for another shift, arriving home at 2:00 a.m., only to get back up and start over.

I averaged 65 hours a week during that time, eventually beginning to break down physically, and also missing out on critical time with my new husband. When did we have time to enjoy one another? What should have been our “honeymoon period” was entirely too difficult for us. That experience is definitely one of those I would go back and do differently, if given the chance. No amount of money or supervising experience was worth all that I sacrificed during that time.

If we really take God at His word, believing that, “my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus,” then we can see that no promotion, position, company, or paycheck will ever be what gets us through. Our provision comes from the Lord, and no matter where we work, or what our title, that will always be true. What’s more is that if we tithe a portion back to Him, He will faithfully rebuke the devourer for our sakes, and not allow him to destroy the fruit of our labor.

Worrying about what we will eat, what we will wear, what car we will drive, what we will buy our kids for Christmas…those worries are just a waste of our time. Jesus said, “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things (our basic needs) shall be added to you.” Mt. 6:33. He said, “what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.” Mt. 7:9-11

If you are faced with the decision to over-work to become rich, remember the Lord’s promises and His enduring faithfulness, and choose to cease. It is not worth the sacrifices of family relationships, health, your relationship with God, or your time to be able to do God’s work. Understanding God’s faithfulness, and the effects of your sacrificing choices, work as unto the Lord, and then cease! Allow God to show His hand of provision in your life.

Content,

jamie