This is a guest blog post from Alece Ronzino, check-out her blog at GrittandGlory.com
As we started this new year, I became mindful of my tendency to wear myself out for all the wrong things.
You see, I was reading along in Isaiah when I tripped over this phrase: "You have not wearied yourselves for Me, O Israel." I knew exactly what God was talking about. And I knew I was just as guilty as Israel was.
After over eleven years in full-time ministry, I know full-well what it's like to weary myself. I've put in the ridiculously long hours. I've juggled an impossible schedule. I've reached the point of burnout and lived to tell about it.
And as I fall in bed exhausted at the end of a long day week month year decade, my heart sighs, "I'm weary..."
If I listen closely enough, I hear God's voice, ever loving and gentle. "But you haven't wearied yourself for Me."
Without even realizing it, I've been wearing my exhaustion like a badge of honor. My demanding schedule and ever-growing to do lists became my identity. As if fatigue is the mark of an accomplished missionary.
If I'm most honest, I wearied myself because I thought my value lay in my productivity. I mistook accomplishments for significance. I bought into the lie that busyness is the telltale sign of successful leadership.
But while I was getting stuff done, and even—by God's grace—impacting lives, I was ultimately toiling for the wrong reasons.
The work of discipling young leaders in Africa is worth every ounce of my effort and energy. I want to tire myself out doing what I love. But I need to keep the motives of my heart in check. Wearying myself for some self-serving purpose is just plain tiring.
So as I look out over the horizon of 2010, this much I know is true: I want to weary myself only for Him.
Is this something you've struggled with?
What are some practical ways we can keep this in check?
Wow, it’s hard to read it and realize it’s you.. Sometimes it takes something smacking you in the face for you to realize that you are that person.
For years I have packed my schedule and overbooked myself under the mindset that if I am working 24/7 I am doing the right thing. If I am filling my time with **Good** stuff that makes me a “better person”.
You don’t know how many times I have been so proud to say, I have been up 24 hours working or I just completed..
Thank you so much for this, I needed it!
Comment by Trevor Roberts - Feb 10, 2010 @ 10:01 AM
God bless you Alece.
You are an inspiration.
It takes courage to admit such truth and even more courage to publicly declare it.
I pray that the Lord will bless you far above what you dared to hope or imagine and that as you continue to delight in Him and to serve Him, He too will delight in you and your relationship with Jesus will grow from strength to strength and from glory to glory.
With love,
anewcreation
Comment by anewcreation - Feb 10, 2010 @ 02:21 PM
Amen, girlie!! The Lord has asked me the same in the past. Way to capture this truth so beautifully and powerfully!
-Mel
Comment by The Velvet Trunk - Feb 10, 2010 @ 05:29 PM
trevor—it’s taken “smacking me in the face” too. and i so quickly seem to forget it. this was as much a reminder for me as it was for anyone else.
anewcreation—thank you for your wonderfully encouraging words. “strength to strength”... such a prayer of my heart.
mel—thanks, chica!
Comment by alece - Feb 10, 2010 @ 07:36 PM
I always thought overbooking myself was a sign of being important. I want touch everything so my name is out there and my ego is fluffed.
But then I would collaspe tired, exhausted and I realized that I was doing it for me.
I too take on this challenge: I want to weary myself only for Him.
Comment by Heidi - Feb 11, 2010 @ 09:07 AM
love your honesty, heidi. “i realized i that i was doing it for me.” i came to the very same realization.
Comment by alece - Feb 11, 2010 @ 02:42 PM