Spiritual Workaholics

And He said unto them,
Come ye yourselves apart into a
desert place, and rest a while: for there
were many coming and going, and
they had no leisure so much as to eat.
And they departed into a desert place by
ship privately.
Mark 6:31,32

There are some people, especially executives and corporate ladder-climbers who are known as “workaholics” because of the ridiculous hours and even days they put in where the workplace is concerned. It isn't unusual for such people to work 18 hour days, usually six days a week or more. Even when they when arriving home, they may still work late into the night doing paper work.

Let's leave corporations for a time and look at churches, their staff members and members who hold various offices in the church setting. Again, this is not an indictment involving every Christian, whether full or part time workers or laypeople fulfilling various responsibilities in their churches. I have heard pastors from pulpits brag on the long hours they put in at the church office, arriving home at night when his children are already in bed. I've heard some pastors who boast of heavy responsibilities, building programs, various meetings, counseling sessions, hospital visitation and somewhere in there, they study for Sunday's sermons. As I have listened to the list, it makes me weary in listening to it all. You see, there can be such a thing as church workaholics. I really hesitate to use the word “spiritual” at this point because I'm not sure being a church workaholic is spiritual.

Lest you judge me as being hyper-critical of others, let me tell you that on this subject, I have been there and back with this kind of thing more than I desire to admit. I'm not going to list the responsibilities I sometimes had all at the same time. In one position, I can think of eight major jobs I was responsible for. I couldn't say “no” and in some instances couldn't refuse to do certain things because of employment. Guess what? I got lots of attention and praise. I also learned with all of that going on, some people thought I was a super spiritual person. There were those who thought me wise beyond my years and could rarely be wrong. Little did those folks know that I had little time to read my Bible or pray. In those days, my family was often neglected. My dear husband often took up the slack. Guess what...it all had become compulsive...there were no brakes...I honestly believed if I didn't do it all, no one else would or could.

Since when are we to base our spiritual worth on being as busy as we can be doing church work. Church work is different from serving the Lord. If you and I can't “serve the Lord with gladness, come before His presence with singing” then something is wrong. Some church workers are too tired doing the work to come before the Lord with singing ... serving with gladness has perhaps gone by the wayside long ago.

The above opening verse was written under the title of this blog for a reason. I can't imagine the physical weariness of Jesus and the disciples at times as they ministered. They didn't have planes or vehicles to get them where they needed to go. They didn't have fast food places where they could eat and probably often slept under the stars. Ministry is wearying no matter the century or times. I've noticed through the Gospels, though, that Jesus always knew when to go to one side to rest and pray. He often pulled away from the crowds to pray. Notice in the opening verse the disciples had been so busy, they hadn't had time to eat. Jesus saw the necessity of His disciples having a time to rest, and yes, to eat as well. I've heard church workers brag on their lack of sleep and having no time to eat. I doubt Jesus would approve.

There are those who serve the Lord for the personal satisfaction and even glory for their efforts. That can be very tiring and wearing on the human system. I have found when the Lord calls me to a task, He not only equips me for it, but also gives me the strength to bring the task to a satisfactory completion. When I become worn to a frazzle in serving Him, I usually find that I'm functioning in my own strength and not His.

The glory part of doing God's work can be addictive. There will always be folks who will pour praise and compliments out on God's servant. Don't get me wrong, there are times to encourage God's servants. Too much of such can take our focus off of the Lord and onto our own efforts and even successes. Any success should be to God's glory alone. I find the way to please the Lord is through His words in Jeremiah 9:23,24:

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man
glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty
man glory in his might, let not the rich man
glory in his riches:
But let him that glorieth glory in this, that
he understandeth and knoweth me, that I
am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness,
judgment, and righteousness, in the earth:
for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

If we serve the Lord as we should, there is no need to completely wear ourselves out. Whatever we do to serve the Lord will reap rewards for the Kingdom in good time. It can be enjoyable, satisfying and yes, even fun serving Him. God doesn't mind if we have a good time serving Him. He's delighted that we love serving Him, especially when we do it for Him and not for self honor and glory.

Father, we love You and want to serve You with pure motives. We want You to be honored in all You've called us to do. Help us to recognize Your calling in our lives and how You want us to best use the gifts and talents You've given us. In Jesus' precious name....Amen