No
Have you seen the movie Yes Man with Jim Carrey? I happen to really like it and think there is a lot of truth in it. In American culture I think it is really normal to say no and miss out on a lot of opportunities. However, today I want to talk about no, not yes.
As a Christian I am called to serve. I am given Jesus as an example of how I am called to do that and to what extent. Jesus was a man who was always willing to serve and meet the needs of the people. We have many stories of him feeding crowds (Luke 9:10-17), being surrounded by multitudes of people all bidding for his attention and never turning one of them away. But we also read stories of him setting aside time to be by himself to meditate and pray alone (Matthew 26).
I consider myself an extrovert with introverted tendencies (ENFP for all of you now wondering about my Myers Briggs). I love talking. Ask anyone in my family, I LOVE talking. That being said, I quickly get worn out being in a large crowd. I much prefer small gatherings, or just one on one time. This however can clash with what I feel like I should do as a "good Christian". I often tell myself that I need to be more excited in a large group and that I should always want to be around people, but the truth is that that just simply isn't true. I really like being alone sometimes. I like silence.
Recently the church had an activity where they went to a small campground on the lake and stayed overnight. They did competition, baptisms, and shared in fellowship as a church family. I signed up to go, but as the date grew nearer I found myself dreading it. I have been working some extra hours lately to cover for a coworker and I was just tired. I also got sick the Tuesday before the Saturday that the lake trip was scheduled for. As it grew closer and closer I felt more and more exhausted just thinking about going. Finally, on Saturday morning, I called my manager and told him I wasn't going to go. It is funny because I asked various friends if they thought it was ok if I didn't go because I felt so guilty about not having a seemingly "legitimate" reason not to go other than feeling tired. It was really really difficult to say no, but as I thought and prayed I just kept hearing God saying, just say no. Rest. Let me care for you.
So that's what I did. On Saturday afternoon, after my morning classes, I did have to do some work, but after that I said to myself, "I am not going to do anything that doesn´t bring me peace or joy." I spent the afternoon crafting Christmas ornaments, napping, decorating my apartment, and just relaxing. Sunday was an incredible day. There was no church service so I started the day listening to a sermon about identity, something I've been struggling with recently, journaled and taking time to just be with the Lord. I then went to the beach by myself and swam and enjoyed the beauty. The day continued with lots of relaxation and productivity (which I find very recharging). I can't explain why it was such a big deal to me, but saying "no" to going to the lake was such an amazing decision.
I think it is a cross cultural concept to try and make ourselves go go go. From a secular standpoint I think we feel the pressure of society to be better, more productive, and have less needs. There is this twisted belief system that permeates culture that tells us that the more we can do with less (less time, less money, less energy, less rest, etc.) the better or stronger we are. In the ministry world when I'm feeling tired and like I simply don't have anything left I can tell myself, "but Jesus always helped everyone! He didn't get tired and rest and tell people no. I'm suppose to be like him." One, that's just not true, and two, I'm not God, so it's ok not to be as strong as him.
At the end of the day I think it boils down to self care. Do you care for yourself? When was the last time you said no to something simply so that you could rest and seek the Lord? I am horrible at self care. One of my good friends often tells me to rest more, but I just always feel like there is more I could and should be doing. The truth is that is true. There will ALWAYS be something more I could be doing, but God doesn't ask me to be him. Paul reminds us that in our weakness God is made strong. I just need learn to better accept my weakness and inability to do everything so that I can make space for God to more and exercise his power. Will you pray for me?
As a Christian I am called to serve. I am given Jesus as an example of how I am called to do that and to what extent. Jesus was a man who was always willing to serve and meet the needs of the people. We have many stories of him feeding crowds (Luke 9:10-17), being surrounded by multitudes of people all bidding for his attention and never turning one of them away. But we also read stories of him setting aside time to be by himself to meditate and pray alone (Matthew 26).
I consider myself an extrovert with introverted tendencies (ENFP for all of you now wondering about my Myers Briggs). I love talking. Ask anyone in my family, I LOVE talking. That being said, I quickly get worn out being in a large crowd. I much prefer small gatherings, or just one on one time. This however can clash with what I feel like I should do as a "good Christian". I often tell myself that I need to be more excited in a large group and that I should always want to be around people, but the truth is that that just simply isn't true. I really like being alone sometimes. I like silence.
Recently the church had an activity where they went to a small campground on the lake and stayed overnight. They did competition, baptisms, and shared in fellowship as a church family. I signed up to go, but as the date grew nearer I found myself dreading it. I have been working some extra hours lately to cover for a coworker and I was just tired. I also got sick the Tuesday before the Saturday that the lake trip was scheduled for. As it grew closer and closer I felt more and more exhausted just thinking about going. Finally, on Saturday morning, I called my manager and told him I wasn't going to go. It is funny because I asked various friends if they thought it was ok if I didn't go because I felt so guilty about not having a seemingly "legitimate" reason not to go other than feeling tired. It was really really difficult to say no, but as I thought and prayed I just kept hearing God saying, just say no. Rest. Let me care for you.
So that's what I did. On Saturday afternoon, after my morning classes, I did have to do some work, but after that I said to myself, "I am not going to do anything that doesn´t bring me peace or joy." I spent the afternoon crafting Christmas ornaments, napping, decorating my apartment, and just relaxing. Sunday was an incredible day. There was no church service so I started the day listening to a sermon about identity, something I've been struggling with recently, journaled and taking time to just be with the Lord. I then went to the beach by myself and swam and enjoyed the beauty. The day continued with lots of relaxation and productivity (which I find very recharging). I can't explain why it was such a big deal to me, but saying "no" to going to the lake was such an amazing decision.
I think it is a cross cultural concept to try and make ourselves go go go. From a secular standpoint I think we feel the pressure of society to be better, more productive, and have less needs. There is this twisted belief system that permeates culture that tells us that the more we can do with less (less time, less money, less energy, less rest, etc.) the better or stronger we are. In the ministry world when I'm feeling tired and like I simply don't have anything left I can tell myself, "but Jesus always helped everyone! He didn't get tired and rest and tell people no. I'm suppose to be like him." One, that's just not true, and two, I'm not God, so it's ok not to be as strong as him.
At the end of the day I think it boils down to self care. Do you care for yourself? When was the last time you said no to something simply so that you could rest and seek the Lord? I am horrible at self care. One of my good friends often tells me to rest more, but I just always feel like there is more I could and should be doing. The truth is that is true. There will ALWAYS be something more I could be doing, but God doesn't ask me to be him. Paul reminds us that in our weakness God is made strong. I just need learn to better accept my weakness and inability to do everything so that I can make space for God to more and exercise his power. Will you pray for me?
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