I am blessed with some pretty awesome friends. They really love me and have shown it by patiently, sincerely and even bluntly speaking truth into my life. So what did they have to say to me?
Basically, “What you are doing is not good”
The quote is a paraphrase of what loved ones have repeatedly told me and a direct capture from Exodus 18 when Moses was leading people in the desert. This is what happened on take your father-in-law to work day:
“… Moses took his place … People were standing before him all day long, from morning to night. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What’s going on here? Why are you doing all this, and all by yourself, letting everybody line up before you from morning to night?”
Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me with questions about God…”
Moses’ father-in-law said, “This is no way to go about it. You’ll burn out, and the people right along with you. This is way too much for you—you can’t do this alone. Now listen to me. Let me tell you how to do this so that God will be in this with you. Be there for the people before God, but let the matters of concern be presented to God… And then you need to keep a sharp eye out for competent men—men who fear God, men of integrity, men who are incorruptible—and appoint them as leaders…. If you handle the work this way, you’ll have the strength to carry out whatever God commands you, and the people in their settings will flourish also. (Excerpts from Exodus 18:13-23 The Message)”
Common sense, right? No one can do everything by themselves. What is more is that Christians believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior. If I truly believe that why am I trying to steal his job ?!?!
It is a tough habit to break. A habit like any other hurt, habit or hangup (to borrow a line from Celebrate Recovery) that keeps us from experiencing freedom.
Today, the following clip was shown at Easter service. The first time it was shown I was sitting next to a student who immediately turned to me and asked for prayer. He had been struggling with self-mutilation and was trying to stop but felt compelled to continue.
Today there was not a student next to me and I had the freedom to be selfish. I watched the drama and did not see what Christ is willing to do for my students but what He is willing to do for me!
Here is the drama we watched.
I am going to get some backlash for not being readily available for everyone but thank God He’ll take those blows for me. And that He saw fit to give me great friends to remind me it is okay to take care of myself first.
Joel Spencer
13 April 2009 at 8:53 am
The truth is, many people will only stand up and take on responsibility when those who they’ve been leaning on wean them off.
There is a HUGE chasm between “assisting” and “sustaining”.
I am called to hold the oxygen mask at times, but I’m not to have an IV running from my arm to theirs.
Until people see that they are capable, in Christ, to live victoriously, we must be careful to make sure that we’re not actually a hindrance that keeps them from maturing – even if our intentions are pure and good. It sure seems harsh at times – this is why we MUST hear what the LORD would have us to do in each relationship and respond accordingly.
As I’ve said before, it is NOT selfish or prideful to take care of your walk with the LORD first! It is out of that relationship that all others must follow.
LaChelle Henderson
13 April 2009 at 3:07 pm
Wow dude, that skit is really deep. I’m not the most emotional person in the world so tears arn’t something I face too often. They did an amazing job with it and I appreciating you sharing it with all of us.
pat
14 April 2009 at 6:59 am
freaking awesome, the end.