August 25, 2024 Devo

I was meeting with a couple of our staff the other day. We were debriefing on the past year and talking about how to work effectively together and how to keep life and ministry manageable. We talked about how ministry is like a series of intense bursts of energy followed by short stretches of maintenance and preparation work. It doesn’t have a normal, every-week’s-the-same pattern to it. One of the things we all agreed was important was learning how to “breathe.” In those moments when the burst of energy is over, it’s important to slow down and give yourself time to pause and replenish. If not, we end up not only doing our less-than-best work, but we also aren’t worth much to our families. Ministry is a long video of activity. You have to learn how to hit the pause button from time-to-time.
This is the model Jesus gave us. Notice in our passage today. Jesus has just had an intense time of ministry. He taught for long stretches of time. He healed several people. He organized a crowd of thousands, multiplied fish and bread, and got them all fed. Believe it or not, ministry like that takes a lot of energy. Even for the Son of God. So Jesus sent the disciples on in the boat. Then He sent the people home. Jesus then did something really smart. He hit the pause button. He went up to the hills, rested, reflected, and prayed. Instead of pouring into people, He let His Father pour into Him. He knew there would always be work to be done. He also knew that if you don’t take time to pause, YOU’LL be done, and quickly!
I know there are some people who need this word today. You’re pushing yourself too hard, too long, and too fast. You’re caregivers. You’re teachers. You’re pastors. You’re working demanding jobs. Some of you are living under this cloud of unrealistic expectations that you’ve created for yourself. And you’re heading for burnout. Take a look again at the model of Jesus. It’s okay to take a break. It’s okay to take care of yourself. It’s okay to get away for a moment, a morning, a day, a weekend, a week. And just BREATHE. Before you become no good to anyone and end up a pile of stress and mess, do what Jesus did. Hit the pause button. Trust me, the world will still be waiting for you when you get back. That’s God’s Word for you today.