MESSAGES
I can recall how excited I was when I first joined the fire service. To know that I would have the opportunity to fight fires and save lives filled me with pride. I was eager to go through the academy and learn all the different hose evolutions, ladder operations, firefighting techniques, rescue procedures and first aid practices.
After graduating from the academy I couldn't wait to go to work each day, hoping to have a major fire or some horrendous rescue operation during my shift. I couldn't wait to put into practice all that I had learned and been trained to do. As a young firefighter I can honestly say, "I was on-fire for the job and my flame was burning bright."
I remember fighting fires where the glow and the flame were quite spectacular. At times it was a sight to behold as we watched the flames shining bright and strong one moment, and then flickering out the next as it was drenched with overwhelming amounts of water. Our lives are like that at times. One moment we're shining bright and strong, and the next moment things begin to flicker as we allow our lives to be drenched by the overwhelming demands of the world.
I wish I could say I was on fire for my job from the day I was hired until the day I resigned but I can't. There were periods of time in my career when my flame was barely flickering. There were times when I felt literally burned out on the job, when I wanted absolutely nothing to do with the job.
There were times when my flame was flickering something terrible. At times I felt like a smoldering heap of ash crumbling beneath the heat of every trial and circumstance in my life. My fire was flickering! Today we call it job burnout. We can burn out physically, emotionally and spiritually.
Burnout on the job is something most everyone experiences to one degree or another. Some people are able to get over it quickly. Others do not.
Let me remind us, as Christians, we should never burnout on the job. Yes, we will certainly become tired and wearied at times in our work, but with God's strength we do not have to burnout. The Apostle Paul reminds us that, "We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us" (Philippians 4:13).
One thing that I love about the Bible is the people in the Bible. I can relate to them so well. Moses got burned out. Elijah got burned out. David, Solomon, Jeremiah, Isaiah all got burned out. Even the Apostle Paul got burned out. All these people got burned out, but they never got burned up.
As we read about the life of Paul, we discover that he experienced enough trials and difficulties to cause burnout in anyone's life. That's why he was able to say, "We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Cor 4:8-9). Paul never burned out. He was always able to keep going in spite of all the circumstances he faced.
The Apostle Paul's flame continued to burn bright and he was able to avoid burnout all because he kept his eyes on Jesus. Paul said, "For the love of Christ constrains us" (2 Cor 5:14). The word constrains means to compel or urge us on. Paul's love for Jesus Christ is what motivated him to continue on. Our fire will never go out; it will continue to burn bright only as we keep our eyes on Jesus Christ and remember what He did for us and what we're called to do for Him.
How do we keep our flame from flickering? How do we avoid burnout on the job? Let me give you a few practical ways of avoiding burnout. First, set realistic goals. Second, look for the fruit of your labor. Third, don't put too much pressure on yourself—learn how to say no. Fourth, don't sweat the small stuff. By the way, it's all small stuff when compared to God. Fifth, be willing to accept your limitations. Sixth, eat properly, exercise and get plenty of rest. Seventh, don't expect an "adda boy." Remember that the greatest "adda boy" will come from Jesus Christ when He says, "Will done thou good and faithful servant."
Most of all we need to remember our purpose as Christian's. What's that? To glorify God. Paul says, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:1-2). He also reminds us, "Whatever we do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men" (Colossians 3:23). In other words, our motive for everything we do in life will make all the difference in the world as to whether we burnout or keep on shining.
I'm reminded that when fighting a wildland fire we must always be aware of the direction that it's traveling. If we turn our back on it, even for even a moment, the flames can overrun us and literally burn us out. To prevent burnout on the job we must be focused and we must remain focused. We're never to turn our back on Jesus Christ else our flame will begin to flicker.
We all feel weary at times. Our flame begins to flicker at times. We each experience burnout to one degree or other, in one area or other. When we as a parent see our child going astray; when a friend has abandoned us; when our husband or wife has rejected us; when our boss no longer appreciates us we can become weary, burdened and burned out.
What's the answer? Better yet … who's the answer? Jesus says, "Come to Me all who are weary and heavy laden . . ." (Matthew 11:28). Jesus says Come to Me. He doesn't say come to church, come hear a sermon, come and get counseling, or come read a book. He says, "Come to Me." Who's to come? All who are weary and heavy laden. The term heavy laden means "to be loaded down with sin," and being loaded with sin can certainly make us weary.
David said, "There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger, nor is there any health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me . . ." (Psalms 38:3). Sin will weigh down our soul, wear out our body and burn out our spirit. Sin wears us out and loads us down.
As we come to Christ He promises to, "give us rest." He doesn't want to come down on us, nor get angry with us. He wants to give refreshment to us. How? By encouraging us to take His yoke, "Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me . . ." A yoke is a steering devise for oxen which enables them to walk together, do their work together and pull their weight together. It is designed to fit both oxen individually. The lead ox pulls the greater weight, while the other follows his move. We need to let Jesus take the lead and then follow His lead.
Jesus says, "You whose flame is flickering; you who are burned out; and you who are loaded with sin, come to Me, yoke with Me, and learn of Me. Then you will find rest for your soul." Jesus wants us to come to Him. Here's the wonderful thing about all this. We can come now. We don't need to wait. Jesus extends this invitation of, "Come to Me…" to everyone. In other words, anyone who is weary and heavy-laden may come.
Jesus doesn't want us to burn out. He wants us to burn bright. It's only as we come to Jesus that our flame will once again shine bright and our fire will once again ignite. Then will we avoid becoming the victim of burnout on the job.
God bless you,
Pastor Steve |
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| SHIELD OF FAITH |
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For more information,
call (951) 687-6902
Attention Juanita
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