Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Like one of those giant elastics that comes on your broccoli.
I'm being stretched. I'm now on Student Senate at Redeemer, the Youth Conference Committee of the Can. Ref. Churches, the leadership team at Emmanuel Youth Group, the Spiritual Activities for Students Committee, and the Student Affairs Committee. Plus I have what feels like a hundred other commitments. Ryan tells me I should do less, I tell him I'm doing more. the best part of the grace of God is that it makes me stretch, like a giant elastic. I hope this elastic doesn't break though.
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5 comments:
Dear Ben:
Wow. I hope it doesn't snap too. Do yourself a favor and don't add anything else to strain it, or I have a feeling it will break. But on that note, if you ever need to talk and let out some steam, you know where I am!
Love, Carol-Lee Joy
Ben, Ryan is right.
Being involved is important. However it does not mean your relationship with God is good. You know what I mean? I use to run around doing all 'servant work' meanwhile my relationship with God suffered greatly. Mostly because I thought the work I was doing, was my relationship with God. But I was very wrong. I just 'simply' had to sit down and listen to God. And pray. And be there for my friends and family. I still fail greatly doing that. But I know now that the things I do are not a relationship. I have to admit sometimes it is a cover up for my lack of passion and love for God.
Ben I'm not saying that your relationship with God will not be or is not good. Just a warning.
I believe God gives you strength but dont be surprised when the elastic will break. God not only gives you strength he also gives you a mind to know when it is too much. Take it easy. love.
p.s. another thing; I use to think i had to do it all. God has many servants not just you and me. Let other people do it sometimes. it's ok.
Ben, Ryan and Mieke are right.
One of the things that I've learned this year stepping into leadership (and so many of the things you're involved in are leadership positions) is that in order to lead, you are actually serving. Like, washing dirty smelly feet. And it's really hard to lead people in one group into a fuller and more meaningful relationship with God when you're too busy doing other things, like washing feet in an entirely different community.
And you're allowed to say no to things...just so that you can spend time just between you and God. Sometimes it's good to just sit and be. So one thing my Exec team has been trying to remember is about Being Christ followers, instead of Doing Christianity. It's super hard. (specially when that means being in Mississauga, or just away from home, a lot)(or even thinking about stepping back from something you love and think you need...even if it's just temporarily!)
I love you, Ben! and I'm praying for you always.
Dear Ben:
Someone told me just the other day "You do too much for other people Kathleen". It hit me crazily between the eyes. I do too much for other people? That's rediculous... isn't it? Then I started thinking. I'm throwing myself into all this stuff because I keep thinking that's what I should be doing and God will bless for it! Right? Uhmm, well it suddenly hit me, I can't be blessed properly if I'm worn out and lying somewhere with the life blown out of me. I'm having to right now, pray about what I should do so I don't burn out first. Trust me, if God needs to show you what you should do or not do, He will. Be careful...I'm praying for you.
Love.
hi ben.
somebody pointed out to me the other day that though everybody always says, "if you want something done, ask a busy person", we really have to stop doing that. because when we do that we just wear down motivated people till they're useless and make lazy people lazier. if we really had the good of all our brothers and sisters in mind, we would push the unlikely candidates to be more involved (and give ourselves a break.) its counter-intuitive, but sometimes we're the selfish ones if we hog all the service!
if you can find the time to read a poem...(though you're a smart guy; you've probably already read it...) read 'on his blindness' by john milton. (just google it) it put a new spin on my perspective on 'service'; though i'm not sure it's totally applicable, it's still worthwhile.
all the best.
B
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