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Listen while you read: "My Saviour's Love"1
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Over many years of pastoral ministry, I saw some dedicated people who were always present for Sunday worship and church programs. They were totally immersed in the life, work, and ministries of the congregation, and it seemed as though every time we opened the church doors, they were among the first to arrive. The faith community was their family and they simply devoted themselves to serving God in their local church.
Sometimes, however, these lovely servants were too busy and stretched themselves beyond what they could do effectively for God. They did too much, said "yes" too many times, and often wouldn't let others help them. They thought that if they temporarily gave up their work for the Lord or handed it over to someone else, the ministry or mission would suffer. Frequently, the ministry was suffering because they didn't like to share or delegate the responsibility to some other person. However, when COVID-19 came and forced us all to stay away from church, those people reflected on their chosen roles, soon realizing that God was working through the whole church membership, and not just them. After COVID-19, they fully reassessed their own service, and, for the first time in years, they allowed others to work with them.
I like what Jesus tells His disciples:
Mark 6:31 – Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." (NIV)
This reveals to us that Jesus did not expect His closest followers to be on duty all the time. By asking them to be alone with Him, Jesus was encouraging them to do nothing for a while. The mission would always be there, and the kingdom of God would continue, but they were only human with weaknesses and limitations. Like the writer of Psalm 23, Jesus was inviting them to find a quiet place in order to restore their souls.
Perhaps you need permission to let go of some of the ministries and missions in your own congregation. Maybe you've overextended yourself and instead of feeling the joy of serving God, it is a heavy burden to you. Let Christ encourage you to find a quiet place, to release you from your responsibilities, to enable you to reflect on how best to serve God, to replenish your weary spirit, and to refresh your tired soul. Go ahead and be busy — doing nothing.
Point to ponder: How do I serve God in my local church? Am I too busy?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know us more fully than we know ourselves. We love You completely and want to serve You faithfully, but sometimes we are tired and need to rest. Help us to find a peaceful, quiet place where we can be refreshed by Your Spirit and restored to Your kingdom. In Your holy name, we humbly pray. Amen.
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About the author:
John Stuart <traqair@aol.com>
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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So true, John.
Spot on John. Thank you and God bless you.
Thanks John, blessings to you and your family.
Quiet contemplation – a part of renewing our faith.
Hi John,
You spoke to my Pastor’s heart this morning. Thank you and God bless.
Thank you so much! I needed this today, right at this very moment! God be praised! Thank you so much!
Thank you, John, for encouraging those of us who too readily say “yes” to almost every task to rest in His love.
Yes! Yes John. I have been a witness to such tragedy. And then their family suffers… blessings on your observation of truth.
Control is a powerful thing, isn’t it?
Well done today. Thank you.
(Manitoba)
Thank you for sharing this much needed truth. I can take on something and another something and I do nothing well. I also deprive someone the blessing of serving.
Bless you.
John Stewart
Thank You for insight into being too busy. I have found myself over extended and it takes a crisis to step back. Finding balance is tough, yet a rested, healthy Christian is far more effective than a stretched, exhausted Christian.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today! At 81, I’m now enjoying the quiet with my dog…except when she spies a squirrel and goes to barking! LOL! She’s quite the character. She’s good at keeping the critters on their toes. Again, thanks for writing this devotional.
Thanks, John, for your encouraging words today. It is so true that there are times we can get over busy doing the Lord’s work and truly I’m sure He does not demand we wear ourselves down doing work for Him. In all things, there is a limit, and our loving Lord is the one who surely knows the extent of that. Many blessings for these very special and meaningful writings you prepare.
John,
Were you preaching to me? Your devotional spoke to me on many levels. I was probably that person in spades in the past; however, time takes care of lots of things, opens one’s eyes, and gives us the opportunity to reflect on how we serve.
Thank you, John.
Good morning, John,
Thank you for this insightful message of taking a rest so we do not lose our joy of service. Providing an appropriate quote from the Bible really helps us to understand the importance of resting and renewing our strength. Many times in the Bible Jesus practices taking time away from everything and being quietly with God. Often, we are so busy that we don’t actually realize that we have lost our joy in the service we provide. Thoughtful devotionals help us all grow in our faith in many different ways. Thank you for sharing some of what you have learned over your years of service. Blessings and prayers.
Dear John,
I hope you have some time to be busy doing nothing in your retirement….
But we are certainly glad you are doing devotionals!
Blessings.