My Strength–My Weakness

No, I am not going to list two things here, one strength and one weakness.  I am beginning to realize that, as is often the case, the thing that we find as our strength is also our weakness.

Through the last number of years, God has been developing a shepherd’s heart within me. Looking back on my early years of ministry involvement I realize that this work of God began long ago.  In the current season of ministry I have found this calling intensified  and the joy that comes with it increasing exponentially.  This calling and passion has also become my Achilles’ heel.

It is in a desire to care for people that I have found a tiring pace, that at times seems unmanageable.  Even in a God-ordained calling, we need to realize our own limitations as well as the limitations that the Lord has put on the calling.  God never intended for me, or any of us, to sacrifice our walk with Him for the sake of the call.  I must maintain the integrity of my walk with the Lord, in order to be able to accomplish the task He has put before me.

In his book Sabbath:Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives  author Wayne Muller makes the following observation:

“Our work is fruitful only when we are quiet enough to hear the miraculous resilience and strength present among those who suffer, patient enough to see the light that shines in the midst of darkness. Thus, Sabbath is not only for ourselves; rested and refreshed, we more generously serve all those who need our care. The human spirit is naturally generous; the instant we are filled, our first impulse is to be useful, to be kind, to give something away.

Once people feel nourished and refreshed, they cannot help but be kind; just so, the world aches for the generosity of well-rested people.”
These words spoke straight to my heart this evening as I read them over and over.

 

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Category: Sabbatical
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