Burnout & God's Invitation to RestSample

Evaluate the Why Behind Your Commitments

In the midst of burnout, Rick Warren has a reminder for us that’s key to our recovery. In his book, “Purpose Driven Life,” he says we are human beings, not human do-ings.

Sometimes, we act more like human do-ings. We fill our calendars with non-stop activities and never reach the end of our to-do list. And it leaves us busy and burned out. If you’re feeling that way, can we gently ask a really, really important question?

What are you doing exactly? What commitments and responsibilities are running you into the ground? What’s making you feel like you’re being pulled in a thousand different directions?

And instead of suggesting you immediately stop doing a bunch of these things, we’re going to challenge you to dig a little deeper first. Consider what you’re doing so that you can reflect on why you’re doing each of the things.

Oftentimes, we say “yes” to things we shouldn’t because we’re prone to people-pleasing. Or we take on another project at work because we need to feel valued. Maybe we volunteer at church only because it’s the “right thing to do.”

As we unearth the intentions behind all of our commitments and start to see trends, then we can begin identifying what we need to step back from.

Maybe it started because we were trying to do good, but if we’re throwing ourselves into too much, it isn’t good. God invites you to partner with him in work, but it’s not because he needs you to get the work done. And, while there might be certain things he calls you to do, he won’t call you to do everything. You can trust him with the things you stop doing, and you can trust him with the things you choose to keep doing. Either way, the responsibility lies with God, not you.

Ultimately, if we’re going to rest in God’s invitation to…well, REST, then we have to let go of our “do-er” mentality and begin the journey of believing God has done what needs doing and will do what needs doing.

This week, trust that God has things taken care of with a few small practices:

• If you’re feeling like you need to take a nap, take one!
• Give your phone a “bedtime,” and trust that you can leave things be until morning

God, who knit me together, I’ve been doing too much because I’ve been trying to be the best I can be. But I know now that doing more isn’t the answer. Holy Spirit, give me eyes to see my intentions behind each of my commitments with clarity. Give me wisdom to know what to give up and what to keep doing. As I read these Scripture passages today, help my heart to absorb messages of your love—love that exists not because of what I do but simply because I’m yours.