Have you experienced burnout in your life? You get excited about a new job, helping someone, supporting a cause, serving at church, or any other new opportunity. But what happens when the newness wears off?
What fuels your initial excitement? Is it what you can get out of the situation or about what you can give? Focus is everything! I don’t mean having it or lacking it, but what you choose to focus on.
The frazzled single mother at the register who doesn’t have enough cash to to buy the food in her cart while her children watch her, was not put in your path by accident. This is a time to shine His light and use the resources He has given you to help out the less of these that are talked about in Scripture.
Those stricken with a chronic illness, struggling with cancer, or even trying to survive in a third-world country did not willingly volunteer for these conditions. Consider being God’s hands and feet by physically or monetarily helping with an organization that is near to your heart.
When it comes to serving others within the body of Christ, some of us think that there are plenty of volunteers to help on Sunday morning. The reality of the church today is that the work is plenty and the workers are few. We all have a God-given purpose within the body and it doesn’t work at 100% without having every part working together.
God likes to see us act with a servant’s heart. When you choose to serve in any capacity, you are saying that someone else’s needs are more important than your own. Some of us forget this when the serving turns into work.
Don’t let your servant’s heart turn into a heart focused on just getting things done. I know that there is no better feeling than getting that to-do list completed. However, when it comes to serving, those you are serving are of more importance than the serving itself.
Burnout happens when you become more focused on the task than the people. God has placed you where you are for a reason. Pray for God to help you see others the way He sees them.
When you serve others you are doing something for which you may never be repaid here on this earth. Your reward though is a heavenly, eternal reward. Focus on Him and He will continuously renew your strength.
How are you continuously trusting God for your strength as you serve others? Are you serving others or are you more focused on what you can get out of life?
