For the Servant Heart
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him,” 1 Timothy 1:12
Your servant heart wants to serve, serve, serve. Every need that comes along gives you another opportunity to help. And know this—God loves your servant heart! He loves your willingness and desire to serve.
BUT—when you try to do it ALL and do it all well, your strength is not sufficient. Only God’s strength is sufficient. He doesn’t ask you to do it all because He didn’t create you to do it all.
So how do you serve without burning out?
1. ALLOW MARGIN—A full schedule with no margin is a recipe for disaster—and burnout. Margin allows time for unforeseen circumstances, and rest. It’s not a selfish excuse for “me time”, but a realistic approach that allows God time. Because—let’s be real—when you’re overbooked and exhausted, a nap or Netflix is going to come before communing with God.
“For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Matthew 11:30 NLT
2. STAY FOCUSED—Determine the calling on your heart and focus on that one best thing—whether it’s homeschooling your children, leading a ministry, writing a book, or whatever you feel called to. Your many responsibilities only makes the need for focus on priorities all the more critical. Outside of the daily necessities of self-care, family care, and providing sustenance, focus on the one thing that God put on your heart.
“Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received…”
1 Timothy 4:14 NLT
3. REST IN HIM—God set the example of rest when He created the earth. He created you with limitations so that you must rely on Him. Trying to do it all and do it all perfectly is stealing God’s glory to claim it for yourself. Let go of your overcommitted schedule and puffed-up pride. Let God work with you and through you by resting in His provision, His protection, and His plan.
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’” Matthew 11:28 NLT
God gives you a light burden. He gives you a spiritual gift—an ability that helps others. Not only that, but He also calls you to come to Him and rest.
Walking beside Him, letting Him lead the way, and giving Him the glory allows God to use you to fulfill His purpose rather you trying to use God to fulfill your own purpose.
Good luck with that, by the way. God doesn’t listen to requests or honor demands to meet our agenda. (Speaking to myself here, too!)
God determines the agenda, the timing, everything.
“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah 6:8 NLT
He asks you to laid down your pride and walk humbly with your God. He calls you to walk not run.
When you’re running and running to do it all, how much time are you spending in His word, praying, being with Him?
It’s like the soccer mom who runs her children all over town—wearing herself out—but not spending quality time with her children. This isn’t what her children need or want from their mom.
And it’s not what God needs or wants from you, either.
He wants you to spend time with Him. Sitting at His feet, listening to His word, sharing your heart with Him—building a relationship. He loves you and wants something better.
He gives you permission to stop running. Be still. Know Him.
“Be still and know that I am God!”
Psalm 46:10 NLT
May God bless you and yours.
Dianne
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