Beyond Common Sense

Now this title could be dedicated to my dear mother and husband who LOVE to burn anything!  They are the movers and shakers when it comes to lawn clean-up!  However, this blog is dedicated to your weary warriors out there serving with a too-full plate.

“I can’t keep doing this or I’ll crash and burn.”  Have you ever made that statement?  I just did this evening.  Now, I could list all that I do, but most of you could do the same thing – we are a busy people; however, I hate to say it, but my age is catching up with me!

How does that square with Philippians 4:13? I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. It all depends on where you put the emphasis:

 I can do… If I put the emphasis on me, then I find out very quickly that my strength, ideas, stamina, patience, etc. wears thin.

I can do all things…  Do you have a “can do” attitude?  That is a good thing!  As I practiced with a student today who constantly told me why he couldn’t sing the notes, I felt sorry for him.  We won’t accomplish anything if we never try.  But that still is not where the emphasis lies.

I can do all things… Anything?  All things?  Is there a difference?  In a way, yes.  I can do all the things that God wants me to do today.  This is what it looked like for me:

1. Leave home at 7:30 to sub as a chorus teacher
   1. @8:30 – theory class (80 minutes!)
   2. @ 10:30 – drive to the other high school
   3. 11:20 –  Sr. High Chorus
   4. 12:05 – Lunch (read chapter for next week’s high school Bible Study)
   5. 12:45 – Jr. High Chorus
   6. 1:30 – 3:00 – help students in County and District Chorus learn music (THIS just about pushed me over the edge! My brain was really fried by then.)
   7. Home by 3:30
      1. Teach a lesson
      2. 4:00 – Ahhh! Nap-time!
      3. 4:30 – make supper
      4. 5:00 – eat supper
      5. 5:30 – sit in my massage chair (my back is killing me and I’m trying to avoid a visit to the chiropractor!)
      6. 6:00 – teen time
      7. 7:00 – Master Club
      8. 8:30 – crash and chat with hubby
      9. 9:20 – write a blog

This was a bit much for the old grey mare!  I’m feeling that “crash and burn” feeling again.  So, what’s the answer?  What do I cut out?  Do I stop subbing?  The money is helpful and it puts me into the community.  Teaching lessons?  Well, this one is a special case for a young girl in our church whose mother is having to spend the week in Philadelphia for cancer treatments! Teen time – yes!  We’re too old, but who will do it, and I love them? Master Club – oh, these kiddos are my joy!

At this point, I believe with all my heart that I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing and that really, really helps!

Solution: put the emphasis where it belongs: I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST!  It is truly the only way that it can be done!  Keep focused on Who gave me the orders, Who gives me the strength, and Who gets all the glory!  Keep looking up!  Keep longing to hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!”  Oh the joy and peace that puts out the fires of burn-out! (Oh, and don’t forget that the enemy is ALWAYS ready to discourage you!  I just love to tell him to go “home!”)

 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant:

… enter thou into the joy of thy lord.  Matthew 25:21