I want to pass on something from "Our Daily Bread." It is right in line with the theme of this topic. I will do some paraphrasing and use some of the scripture used.
I am finite.
(Take a break)
Fortunately there are many Christians that will shoulder everything and never back down. That is great support but can end in disaster for a church. First, let me say that no church should ever be solely dependent on their Pastor or Elders, for survival or growth. If that is the case, then that church, as an entire body is not healthy. That means that many are not taking up their cross and relying on others to carry their burden. Every member of a church should be involved. God has work for each of us.
Now, for those that do shoulder large burdens, let me say that it is OK to take a break. Just as an athlete knows, you want to push the body to do more but their is an immediate limit and an accumulative limit. Christians need to accept that there are physical, emotional and spiritual limits. Christians shoould be contientios and seek what God has for them but should also take a break.
Examples of this start as early as in the Creation. God did not rest on the seventh day because he needed it. God set us an example. That example does not just come with a weekend retreat and study. Everyone has a saturation point and some have healthy or unhealthy was to handle the stress and pressures that come with serving the Lord. Moses' father-in-law knew and saw this.
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Exodus 18:13The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. 14When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” 15And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; 16when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” 17Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.
18You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. 19Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, 20and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. 21Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 22And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. 23If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.” 24So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 26And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves. 27Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went away to his own country.
letting others take responsibility while you rejuvenate, is also a tool for developing more mature Christians. While taking on more than you can handle will eventually lead to disaster, delegating and overseaing events and programs is a great way to shift some of the stress and again, allowing other Christians to mature in their service. Some Christians need to learn to rely on others, also.
1 Cor. 16:14 Let all that ye do be done in love.
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