Saturday, August 24, 2013

Tiredness

"Strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed." Heb 12:13

When we find ourselves regularly overtired, our bodies are telling us something very important. Unless we slow down, we will be unable to find the energy to complete our everyday tasks with discipline or joy. Exhaustion is not of God and is a reminder to work less or ask others for help. There are numerous examples of this in the bible.

Jethro, Moses' father in law, seeing how many people are coming to Moses for advice on a daily basis, warns Moses that he needs help and suggests a path.
Now, listen to me. Let me give you some advice...you should also choose some of the people to be judges and leaders. Choose good men you can trust—men who respect God. Choose men who will not change their decisions for money... If you do this as God directs you, then you will be able to do your job without tiring yourself out. (Ex 18)
Jesus also chooses twelve apostles to accompany him on his journey to Jerusalem and learn the Good News firsthand. Jesus' example will empower the Apostles to preach the Gospel and to recruit other disciples to accompany them. Eventually, there will be thousands of newly baptized people, all of whom will be commissioned as proclaimers of  God's reign.

Unfortunately, too many clergy and church leaders forget these examples and their failure to seek help is dangerous to them and to Jesus' message. When leaders get exhausted they make poor judgments, find themselves short tempered and more often than not disparage the very people sitting in front of them at Sunday Eucharist. Unless all learn to work together for the good of God's message and people, we will fail to live the sacred commission we have all received at Baptism.

Today, ask someone for help.

What most tires you out in trying to live the Gospel?

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