Last night, during our Wednesday evening worship service, I reminded people of the potential downfall of service.
When we serve, and serve, and serve - but don't take time to renew we burn out.
Mother Tereasa the late leader of the Sister's of mercy had an orphanage and convent in Calcutta India. Throughout the years, as she became quite well know, she had visitors who would come and want to help. Eager Europeans and North Americans came all geared up to go out and serve the poor of Calcutta. Thing was, she would only let them go out for one hour a day.
"Look I've spent a bunch of money, and I want to go back home and feel good about doing something, making a difference." I imagine them thinking.
But, Mother Theresa would not relent. She allowed them one hour a day of service, and then they had to return to the convent for prayer.
That seems nuts to us in the US. We are doers, and want to get things done. That's a good quality, but, Mother Theresa reminds us that all service and no renewal will turn us into slaves to work. It will make us bitter servants. The solution, is to take time to pray, to renew, to recreate and get whole, so that when we do serve, we are fully present with the Holy Spirit working through and in us.
Task: Can you take time out today to renew?
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About the Blog Author
- The St Andrew Blog
- Charlestown, Rhode Island, United States
- Pastor Jim Hazelwood
1 comment:
That is a very wise piece of advice and something that, indeed, is not a normal part of our American culture. We go to the edge, multi-task, or take on too much, and the end result is usually inferior work.
I could use this advice on a regular basis. Thanks for passing this on.
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