Part 3 in a three part series on how to start the school year {or how to start a day} off right. If you already missed #1 and #2, you can find them here and here.
3. Don’t volunteer for anything new. As a matter of fact, be ready to quit a few things. Don’t do it! You with your eager, little hand raised. Before you sign up for one more thing, let me caution you.
Trust me, I’ve been that girl – the model volunteer – the one to ask when you need a “yes”. If you had a need, I’d be your girl. At church. At school. You could count on me!
The only problem was that all of this serving was all about me. Dedicated, dependable me … in the flesh. We’re living in the flesh any time we rely on our own ability rather than on Christ. Even when the flesh looks helpful or spiritual, it’s still just self-sufficiency, not Christ-dependency.
The result of all this serving and do-gooding was big time burn-out. And a very grumpy mom. My mentor always tells me that if I can’t do it (it being whatever I’ve volunteered to do) and still be nice at the end of the day, then I can’t do it. My family has benefited from her advice.
I can’t resist a little Mary and Martha at a time like this.
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 (emphasis mine)
Martha was distracted by serving Jesus. What was she distracted from? Knowing Jesus! Being preoccupied with serving Christ more than with Jesus Himself is a subtle threat to every Christian.* Martha kept herself busy and preoccupied with the work of ministry and almost missed the One she desired to serve. Can you relate? Have you ever been too busy serving Jesus that you missed an opportunity to sit at His feet?
Mary chose the only thing needed. The only thing. Resting in Christ is the sole responsibility of the Christian. Everything else flows our of that.*
Author/speaker Mary DeMuth gives sound advice that I remind myself of often:
Choose small and tend large.
Choose small. {Do you know your spiritual gifts? Do you know your purpose in this season of life? Have you evaluated your present load? Can you still be nice at 7pm?}
Tend large. {As the Spirit leads, give fully in the places God has called you to serve. Be faithful. Abide and allow Jesus to work powerfully through you.}
Choose small and tend large.
*Grace Walk by Steve McVey
The only thing I would add is this; often we volunteer for things out fear of what the other moms will think of us. We should remind ourselves that we should desire to please/make proud our "audience of one-Christ"
Very good point Ayeshia. Fear should never be our motivator. I have to be careful not to get into that performance mode though … I can't perform to please Him. He is fully pleased with me because of Jesus, not because of anything I do/don't do.