#NUTSHELL – SEPTEMBER 17th — BURN OUT…RUST OUT – Proverbs 31:13-27: You may have heard this expression, “I’d rather burn out than rust out.” Lots of missionaries and full-time Christian workers have that perspective and it is commendable. They see the Christian life as a full time, lifelong calling to serve their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Even if they retire from vocational ministry, they want to take their breath with their hands on the plow and their boots on the ground. Both “burning out” and “rusting out” are extreme choices and balance is usually found in the middle. But in this day of entitlement and benefits, perhaps a commitment to industry and hard work deserves a second look – from a spiritual point of view. There are plenty of examples of hard work in Scripture especially in the time of the early Apostles when persecution was abundant and resources were scarce. In the Old Testament the proverbial “Proverbs 31 woman” is the classic example of using God-given talents and resources to the maximum level benefitting all around. “…and whatever you do, do it heartily as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23). As we all dedicate ourselves to do the work of the Lord, let’s remember as we strive to get the work of the Lord done, we can often lose contact with the Lord of the work. Where do you fall on the “burn out/rust out” scale? Is your whole life lived “heartily as to the Lord”? The church is an organism, the living body of Christ which has through millennia been served through the dedication of the laity and called Pastors and teachers. This service has been sacrificial, spiritual and selfless. We may divide our life into many compartments but the church of Jesus Christ demands we sell out to His church with our service. We all can do this while attending to godly priorities for our life. I will assure you that rust out or burn out will not happen when we are Biblically aligned with His kingdom priorities.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 11:04:55 +0000
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