Falling Quietly

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Falling Quietly

It's Autumn. The trees where I live are dropping their leaves. In fact, as I was preparing this post and the companion PowerMail issue for this week, I paused to watch as a gentle breeze touched the trees. A few leaves fell to the ground slowly... quietly. No fanfare. No noise. No trumpet call. Just quietly covering the ground one leaf at a time. To the right is a picture containing the phrase, "falling leaves hide the path so quietly." Little by little, they cover the path, making it hard to see where it leads.

No one sets out to lose their way. No one wakes up and says, "Let's see, how can I burnout by the end of the day." On the contrary, burnout happens over time. Little by little, as quietly as a falling leaf, unresolved conflicts, little unforgivenesses... gradually cover the path we are on. Before we know it, we're lost, burned out, disillusioned.

Scripture says:

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4.16)

Let's enter the discussion now. Here's are the questions:

What are some examples of "leaves" a typical ministry leader deals with?

How can a ministry leader renew, avoiding burnout?

image credit

 

Comments

[Pete]

Is it Tuesday already?

I really liked your picture of how the little things can sneak up on us. While your picture paints one of things creeping in, I have often found that it is the things that I don't do that cause the path to blur; things like letting devotion times go past without participation or letting prayer time become routine. These blocks to the path are things I see creeping out. But, they may be the things that are quietly being covered by those silent leaves of busyness or good things rather than best things, etc.

Thanks for the reminder to keep the rakes handy and to use them ... perhaps often.

[Wendy]

Overscheduling-- I get so busy I don't have time to look for the path. It's important for me to block out times for the things that are a priority, building in time for interruptions and emergencies, but assuring that there is time to get the important things done so that I stay on the path.

[Scott Couchenour]

Pete: HA! Yeah, just pretend it's Tuesday (I'd like to blame it on technology, but I can't)

What an excellent addition to the discussion! The things that "creep out". I can identify with what you're saying. As a systems thinker, I have a tendency to make prayer routine too quickly and I have to watch that.

Thanks for contributing. Have a happy Tuesday :)

[Scott Couchenour]

Wendy, you are absolutely right. Blocking out time for what's important is crucial to staying on the path. And your other point is also great. Every day (not some days, but every day) there are interruptions/the unexpected. We fool ourselves thinking we can schedule the whole day with our plans. I try to stick with 80% planned, leaving 20% for unexpected visitors, phone calls, last minute meetings, etc.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

[Scott Mapes]

I deal with Obsessive-Compulsive
Disorder and the symptoms related to it. Somedays it is very difficult to slow the mind down. I have to continually learn to focus on the important duties of each day, as opposed to trying to solve all of my life's problems in 24 hours. Good physical habits are a part of this.

[Pam]

Sometimes I feel that it isn't leaves, but whole trees that have fallen on my path. Things have been such a struggle. We have such a tiny church that serves a small disabled community. I myself live in that community with a disability as well. We just lost a dear sister in Christ; she was one of our elders and a rock in our church. She was God's gift to me in the support that she provided to me as a Pastor and she was my best friend. Then, there are the outside family issues: Mom's foreclosed house and the nephew on probation; and my own health issues overwhelm at times and the hip that was supposed to ease my pain is causing more and poisoning me with heavy metals as well. I continue to pray through all of this knowing that without Him I am lost, but it is a constant struggle to stay focused on His love and grace in the midst of such turmoil.

[Scott Couchenour]

Scott - "focusing on the important duties of each day" - yes, among the myriad of choices lie the important duties. 24 hours is no timeframe for solving problems (unless you are an actor on an hour-long action episode).

Thanks for stopping by and contributing.

[Scott Couchenour]

Lord, I lift my sister in Christ to you this afternoon. You know exactly how she feels, what she's thinking, and what her struggles are. You have the answers she's searching for. I pray for your perfect timing and provision in her time of need. May she immediately sense your presence full and deep. Bring help to her at just the right time. May this situation be the catalyst to a deeper relationship with Christ than she's ever known up to this point. Amen.

Pam - thank you for sharing.

Readers - please keep Pam in your prayers. Respond to God as He leads you. Thanks.

[Geek for Him]

Volunteer managing is a HUGE one for my buddy who is in full time Ministry. It really can get to him sometimes.

Great stuff Scott!

[Scott Couchenour]

Matthew - have your friend visit the blog and perhaps subscribe to the PowerMail if they want http://www.servingstrong.com/jointhecommunity