BE before DO! - A Cure for Burnout

We hear all the time stories of burnout or breakdown, or people who just give up on something huge in their lives.  They give up on their faith.  They give up on their supposed “mission” or maybe even worse, their marriage or family.  They just give up.

What causes this?  What causes good, faithful people to wear out and give up?  More importantly, what's the cure?

Let’s listen to the story of Mary and Martha, and their encounter with Jesus told in Luke 10:38-42.

While they were traveling, He entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home.  She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what He said.  But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t You care that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.”  

Doesn’t this happen to all of us?  We have been working hard, being responsible parents or workers, or spouses, etc.  Even responsibly serving in the church.  SERVING, doing the right thing.  And we see others who aren’t carrying near the load we are.  And maybe we even judge them…  “They don’t have a clue how irresponsible they are, and what they could do if they would actually get to work.”  And part of that assessment is true….  Someone needs to serve.  Someone has to get things done.  

But in this case, something else was going on, because Jesus was there, and Jesus was teaching and revealing Himself to the people in the house.

The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice, and it will not be taken away from her.”  

You know those airline safety videos that they always show you before flying?  Remember the air mask part: please put your mask on before you help others put theirs on.  Jesus was in effect telling Martha: You need to put your mask on.

BE before DO.

At Rock Bridge we have a saying we try to live by: “Be before Do.”  What does this mean?  It means before I get to the task, I need to be fueled by my King.  I need to BE His Child, BE in love with Him, BE filled with joy and energy and FILLED with the Holy Spirit’s presence and life.  

Lovers out work workers every time.

I recently heard that said, and it is so true.  When a boy falls in love with a girl he does some of the craziest and reckless things ever to win her attention and affection.  And those who love what they do are fueled with energy and passion.  As a father, my love for my children gives me the energy to change diapers and wipe noses.  My love allows me to give comfort at 3 AM for bad dreams, and I will clean up vomit and all sorts of things I would never have done for someone else’s child!  Love FUELS US! 

We are fueled by our hearts.  

Our hearts need to be inspired.  

There is no greater inspiration than LOVE!  

There is no greater inspiration than love, and there is no greater one to love than Jesus our glorious savior and king.  He is worthy of our love and affection.  When I have a clear sense of the love and grace that has been extended to me, when I have a sense of the hope I have in Jesus, and His promise to be WITH me and IN me…  I can’t help but be fueled!

And Mary saw this, and wanted more… And Jesus affirmed that this was the  ONE THING that was necessary, that was needed.  

Are we running on love today?  Are our hearts fueled by the love of our God and the love of Jesus Christ?  Or has that relationship become one of activity and duty and obligation?

Go back to Jesus…  Sit at His feet and listen to His heart FOR YOU.  Do the ONE THING that is needed, and BE His child before you DO anything else!!!