02.20.09
Worship While Overwhelmed
Overwhelmed?
We push ourselves and those around us to meet deadlines, routines, tasks, lists, and relational goals. We are surrounded by others like us: ambitious and aggressive. Too slow? YOU LOSE! Only the fast win and the longer you take to think about what you are doing, the farther behind you get. Results motivate and speed is our friend.
When you are overwhelmed, the tendency or temptation is to have decreased joy and more independence. Challenge produces an “I can do it” mentality. The challenge brings us to more strength in ourselves — or so it seems.
Or, maybe you are quick to give up. The challenges are too overwhelming and you throw your hands up sooner. You say, “I can’t ” and would rather lose than push yourself to accomplish the overwhelming reality that you are in.
You are tired of the stress, the pressure, and the strain. You have been in survival mode so long you don’t remember resting and enjoying peace. Sabbath? Forget it. There is too much to do, right?
When I am overwhelmed, my weaknesses are more evident to me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Being overwhelmed always sneaks up on me. Most of the time, work seems like manageable chaos. I get overwhelmed when I have housework debt and relational debt. I feel like I just can’t catch up and it stops being manageable. I start feeling like I am losing! My joy decreases and I pull myself up by my own bootstraps and get to work. Self- sufficient, Godless behavior kicks in. The challenge is a mission. I get tough and dutiful and feel proud at the finished work. My independent crown is shining bright while I strut my productivity streak in my heart. However, God is not invited into this picture.
Yet, it wasn’t me producing the work. It is always Christ enabling these good things. Jesus wants me to see that when I am overwhelmed, He is giving me a gracious gift. The gift is seeing my need for Him.
God, in His grace, shows me the independence and fear in my heart. Jesus offers forgiveness to me for my relationship with selfish ambition. The comfort of the Holy Spirit shows me that I am loved. Despite my tendency toward self-sufficiency, God shows me that He is sufficient.
I want to run more quickly to Jesus in total dependence. The state of being overwhelmed is a giant distraction for me and gets my eyes off the goal of my faith. Dependence on Christ while working hard is a continual act of repentance. When overwhelmed, I believe God wants my work to actually be the opposite of fast and aggressive. I think He wants tender and steady stewardship, trusting Him along the way.
So, if you are feeling overwhelmed like me, dig in and depend on Jesus.
Hebrews 4:14- 16 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
As you dig in and depend, remember that God’s grace is lavished on you even before the work is done.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Worship through work is not just working hard to God’s glory. It is especially when we realize how weak and unable we are to do our work. We grow in dependence on Christ and boast in our weakness. We must humble ourselves before the face of God and thank Him continually for GRACE.
The second you walk into your home, there is a system in place. What do you do with your shoes? Do you have a shelf, a basket, or how about just a heap of shoes? In the northwest, it is common to take your shoes off when entering a home. We have a big wooden box with a lid that is child proof. I love that the shoes aren’t a visual. In my family of six, shoes can be overwhelming! The children are great about immediately taking their shoes off and putting them into the shoe box.