3 Simple Steps

Once again, I'm reminded just how careful one must be when they are open to hearing what God might have to speak into or through their lives. A late-evening realization, I still really didn't have anything for #missionsFriday prayer.

Seconds later, I hear the television from the kids room. Whichever character it is from the cartoon, Agent Oso, who congratulates his work, having done it in just 3 simple steps.

Wouldn't it be great if life worked like that? Just three simple steps. And it does. Are you ready?

Step #1. Rise Up.
Step #2. Work
Step #3. Rest.

Too much work, and you'll never get consistently good rest.
Too much rest and you might never want to get up again, let alone work.
Failure to rise and then what...

A loss of motivation, a loss of stamina, a loss of focus... any work attempted won't amount to much, in terms of quality and any attempt at rest won't be fully enjoyed, knowing you've left your best efforts somewhere. They are not on the field, as if you were walking away know you've given it all; you haven't. You may think you have, but what you have dropped along the way is getting noticed.

It's difficult to balance, I get it. Work is demanding. Good rest lies just beyond the interruptions that are becoming too numerous to count. The energy, motivation and focus to rise again... they too are found in short supply.

There's a word for the conspiracy of causing the 3 simple steps to fail.

BURNOUT!

And it experienced by everyone. The entry-level. The executive. The just getting started. The almost retired. The parishioner. The pastor. The missionary. And the sooner the Christian can be snuffed out and burnt out, the better. 

The enemy of the souls of man would love nothing more. Yet for those who stand firm, in faith and in prayer... may they continue to rise up, do good work and be granted rest for their souls.

Pray with me, this #missionsFriday... for the hundreds of missionaries that experience burnout annually. They are tired from their good work. Exhausted from the stress. Frustrated by slow results. Desperate for resources. Pray for renewed focus. Pray for revitalized stamina. Pray for refreshed motivation. Pray that nothing be left on the field. May balance in their lives be restored. Pray for the miraculous to be witnessed, as God works in their lives to bring them back from brink of trouble. Pray their faith would be fortified; resisting the temptation to falter.

For the glory of God. For souls won for Christ, because the fan was flamed on the fire of one's faith, rather than doused into dust.

- PNC

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