by Desiree Bustamante

There is no burnout when resting in Christ.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’”
Matthew 11:28-29 New Living Translation

By all appearances this is a very ordinary stove. It’s 28 years old and has cooked many meals, baked multiple cheesecakes and canned apple butter. It has done a lot of work and still looks in pretty good shape.

But over the years it worked so hard that it recently burned itself out. Literally. One day I turned on the oven, heard a loud popping sound and saw that the element was on fire. I shut it off hoping it would just fizzle out by itself, but it didn’t. After trying unsuccessfully to extinguish the fire, the flames increased along with a discharge of sparks. The firefighter (yes, I needed to call them) told me it could no longer be used, for the wiring had incinerated. It had burned out.

Working to the point of mental and physical exhaustion and never taking time to rest and refresh leads to burnout. Our work may feel so significant that we make it the most important thing we can do to please God, but Scripture declares otherwise. When we grow tired and neglect to rest, we lose perspective and disregard God’s priority of trusting Him with our life and the work He gives us. Jesus had the most important work ever on earth, and even He knew when it was time to get away and rest with His heavenly Father.

Jesus never wanted us to please God over trusting Him, for then we are working under our own power and not the strength He gives us to do His will. Pleasing God is a by-product of trusting God. When we fully trust God, He is nothing BUT pleased. Banish burnout. Rest in Christ.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado