Wrote this for the blog at my church but thought I'd post it here as well.
Here’s a parable for you:
A MAN ONCE TOOK THE ENGINE FROM HIS LAWN MOWER AND USED IT TO REPLACE THE BROKEN ONE IN HIS CAR. HE THEN CURSED THE CAR FOR POOR PERFORMANCE, AND ALSO RUINED THE MOTOR. ALL ALONG, HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MOWING THE LAWN.
Are you the engine? Are you the “man?” You may well be both at the same time!
What do you expect out of yourself, out of your life and the others around you? What does the world and your workplace expect?
What does Jesus expect?
Jesus said – no, scratch that – Jesus says; “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul.” That’s from Matthew 11:27-29.
I also love, love, love this version from Eugene Peterson’s The Message: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
(By the way… be aware that even if you are a Christian and feel pretty good about that, the actual “religion” you are practicing may well be Busyness, or Other People’s Expectations, or My Own Expectations, or Success, or The American Dream or whatever. These are killer religions, and burning you out is their preferred form of human sacrifice.)
If you want a job to do and something to work on for Jesus, consider this one: become a living, prophetic witness to a different way of life that gives life, rather than destroys it.
