What's the use of it all?

Getting ‘burnt out’ is a real hazard for those who work long and hard. Forgetting why we do what we do is a primary sign that we are in need of renewal. Burn out is a hazard for all of us, but is more often found among those who work at caring for people’s needs, or who are under creative pressures. When work spins out of control or when constant effort does not produce notable results, a person is at risk of becoming burnt out!

What do those approaching ‘burn out’ do?

Some quit and find another occupation.
Some become ineffective and detached.
Some become cynical and depressed.
And, a few even fall into self-destructive behavior.

The best cure for burn out is not simple rest.

Yes, a break can be helpful, but the real need is recovery of vision. When we know why we are working so hard, we are much less susceptible to becoming a drudge, a shell of the person we once were. When we know that‘life must be different,’ and then begins to think about HOW to achieve that difference, he is vision-eering! (Credit to Andy Stanley for that word!)

Visions are powerful! Some are worthy, others are not. Vision inspires and connects our work to the ‘bigger picture’ painted by Someone bigger than ourselves.

In a recent interview with a person who seeks to join our team as a teacher, I asked Amy, ‘why teaching?’  The wrong answer would have been ‘to have a career or to make money.’  She talked about her passion to help others learn, about her life-long efforts to share knowledge; in short, a vision!

Visions must be tested, measured by a standard to see if they are worthy of our investment.

How can we be sure that we are giving ourselves to a goal that is worth living for?

For a Christian, vision must be shaped by the will of God and the gifts of the Spirit. A vision that disregards God’s will is worse than unworthy. It is sinful. In Luke 12, Jesus told a story about a man whose hard work paid off richly. The man’s vision was clear. “Take life easy. Eat. Drink. Be merry.” Jesus did not condemn the man’s work nor his wealth. He challenged the man’s selfish vision. It was an unworthy vision! Jesus concludes his story saying,  “A person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” (Luke 12:21, NLT) A person who tries to borrow another’s calling will, at best, be frustrated or, worse, become a fraud. That is why both at the beginning and as we continue we need to know what God is saying and where He is leading. Real, ongoing intimacy with the Spirit helps to prevent burn out.

Vision must be anchored in Eternity, not temporal reward. Paul endured terrible ordeals during the 3 decades of his work; imprisoned, rejected, persecuted, weary. But he kept sight of the promise of Heaven.  “Of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” (2 Timothy 1)

Vision is set in the context of the Church; past, present, and future.  While vision must be fresh, it need not be novel! A keen visionary is inspired by those who lived worthy lives before him.  The best visionaries have a working knowledge of the past from which they courageously launch into the future. Paul tells us that we all build on a common foundation, Christ Jesus. The best vision includes a rich appreciation of those who have laid the foundation on which we now build.  But visionaries cannot be captive of either the successes or failures of the past. Paul says that “One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3.13-14 Paul did not intend us to understand that he was throwing away all the lessons he had learned. He is urging us to lay down the weight of yesterday’s sins and to stop trying to relive yesterday’s glories, so that we can discover the wonderful Will of God for life TODAY!

Vision must be bigger than what we can accomplish by ourselves or with our own resources. If our vision is too small, we will out-grow it, out-live it, or come early to a sense of futility. The paradox of approaching burn out is that at the point we most need partners who renew our vision, we tend to isolate like Elijah did after his amazing victory on Mt. Carmel, deluded by the idea that “I am the only one still faithful, standing between the world and disaster.”

So…. What do you see?

… about the core purpose of your life?
… for your children’s future?
… about finding a way to honor God in what you do as your daily work?
… about bringing Jesus and His Kingdom into your sphere of influence?

Jesus, as He stood on a road in Samaria, challenged his disciples to re-consider their assumptions about life and possibilities. He said, “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true.” (John 4:34-37, NLT)

OPEN YOUR EYES and LOOK at the fields! Gaining vision and sustaining vision is hard work. Implementing vision is even harder still. However, without vision we quickly become mired in mediocrity, a burnt-out shell,  and the work of God goes undone.

_______________

Open My Eyes That I May See

Open my eyes that I may see,

Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me,

Place in my hands, the wonderful key,

That shall unclasp and set me free.

Open my ears that I may hear,

Voices of truth Thou soundest clear.

And while the wave notes fall on my ear

Everything false will disappear.

Silently now, I wait for Thee.

Ready, my God, Thy will to see.

Open my eyes, illumine me;

Spirit divine!

Clara H. Fiske Scott

© Words: Public Domain