Pastor's Ponderings:
Are You Dangerously Tired?
Grace and Peace to You from God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ,
Ruth Haley Barton is the founder of the Transforming Center, a ministry that is dedicated to the strengthening of the souls of Pastors, Christian leaders, and the Congregations that they serve.
In one of her recent blogs, she discusses this idea of are we reaching a point of becoming dangerously tired? While the article was directed to Pastors and Christian leaders, I wondered how it applies to all of us. Her article began with this statement from Wayne Muller, an author and speaker, ”Because we do not rest, we lose our way. Poisoned by this hypnotic belief that good things come only through unceasing determination and tireless efforts, we can never truly rest. And for want of rest, our lives are in danger.”
Her article has given me reason to try and pause and reset if you will. In the midst of this pandemic, how do we have honest conversations with each other regarding the wearing of masks; the reason behind social distancing; in person school versus virtual? In the midst of social unrest, how do we have an honest conversation with an African American or Latino regarding systemic racism and the idea of white privilege? In the midst of one the worst political divides in this country that I can remember, how do we have an honest conversation with each other on the direction our country is heading?
What I have realized is that I have let these worries consume my life to the point that at the end of the day, I found myself not only physically exhausted, but my spiritual life was suffering as well.
But then, I remembered the story of Elijah. Even though Elijah’s ministry was going well, we find him slumped down underneath a solitary broom tree, exhausted and depressed. Beyond the point of fighting it any more, Elijah tells God that he is ready to give up. And it was then that Elijah surrenders himself to God’s presence.
My friends, if you find yourself teetering on the brink of being dangerously tired, surrender yourself to the presence of God. Take a few moments to become quiet in God’s presence, aware of his loving presence with you. Without judging yourself or trying to fix anything, allow yourself to become aware of any symptoms of spiritual exhaustion. Invite God to show you the source of your tiredness and ask God, “What are we going to do about that?”
Blessings to you,
Pete
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