Anyone else feeling overwhelmed? No- just me? Christmas is around the corner - and I love it! But wow - how come it arrives faster every year?
Anyone else feeling old and creaky. No - just me?! My first congregation were fond of saying old age doesn't come itself. And as I get older I recognise the truth of that. Running marathons might be amazing but my body still ages. Recently I have had to accept that milk and I no longer get along. Mostly this is fine until I think ice-cream and chocolate.
Anyone else feeling fed up with our Government? Surely not just me? Each day seems to bring another saga and a little more faith, hope is eroded. Will we look back-or my great grandchildren look back and wonder what on earth happened? As we ponder whether Matt Hancock is a celebrity or whether the programme should be called ‘I’m a politician, get me out of here’ we are also trying to figure out how to support the congregation and community with the cost of living crisis.
Rainbow outside Presbytery office |
At the start of my first marathon we were chatting to an experienced runner. She was lovely and she said ‘remember the finish line is there. You will get to the end.’. Sometimes I have to tell my children that the challenging times won't last forever. The difficult topic, the exam, the PE lesson, the appointment will end. We live in challenging times but they won't last forever. Christmas will arrive and go and come again, politicians will come and go (some sooner than others!), economics will fluctuate as they always have but somehow we keep going.
So what to do with that feeling of being overwhelmed?
Firstly stop and take a step back. Not everything rests on your shoulders. It might feel like it. You might even need it to but you are not indispensable. Many years ago my driving instructor told me as I started a new job - make yourself indispensable but remember no-one is indispensable. Some of us need to remember that more than others. That is not to say you are not important but you are part of a family and a community (work, church, club, neighbourhood). Who are you excluding by trying to be everything to everyone?
Secondly, it is okay to say 'no' or 'maybe! Underutilised words but each have merit when well used. However, for some the answer is 'yes’. Sometimes the power of 'yes' enables another to breathe, even rejoice! You might need to say ‘yes’ to the right things. Indeed let me encourage you to stop something that is no longer relevant to start what you are called for. Too often as individuals, as institutions, as churches we keep going because we believe to stop means failure. No it doesn’t. Does the coming of the Messiah mean everything that went before was a failure or irrelevant? Perhaps laying to rest or embracing God’s new thing is actually the right next step and would free us to live without carrying the burden of the past.
Thirdly - diary life. I don't just mean journal, although it is incredibly useful. I mean the very gadget you are reading this on most likely has a calendar app. Your phone that never leaves your side-use it! Schedule in time for you, your family, your hobbies, your church. Many of us miss attending church, training, coffee with friends because we don't diary it. I tell people that once they in the diary they are usually sale. I only cancel because of an emergency or health. I even have worship in my diary and I ‘have to’ be there. How many of see Sunday as an empty day - but if we added worship we might pause and truly consider what is more urgent or valuable or adjust our timings to allow being with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
I write in days off, and my yoga/training session on Wednesdays. It means when I'm asked to go to something, at the very least I hesitate! I see my entries and depending on need etc I choose whether it is urgent or if I can protect my time. That might feel mercenary and selfish. Yet self-care is not selfish.
Jesus took breaks-sat weary by a well whilst his disciples went off to do the grocery shopping. He went off to pray leaving his disciples behind or sneaking away early in the day to get some peace before the crowds arrived. He slept in boats. Jesus was indispensable but smart enough, humble enough to make sure he was not indispensable. He empowered others allowing them to be just like him (sending out of the 12/72). He paused and found out the woman's story while the girl 'passed away'. He waited til Lazarus died. And yes both the girl and Lazarus were alive in the end. But also he didn't heal everyone - our friend at the poolside for example. The humanity of Jesus is evident in the Gospels.
When we ask ourselves ‘what would Jesus do’ let’s be honest and tell ourselves to rest, to sit down, to find a quiet space and pray, send someone else to do the messages, build a team to preach, heal the sick, feed the hungry…#bemoreJesus
Feeling overwhelmed? Pray, Pause and Ponder. Be honest. Who journeys with you? What do you need to let go of? Is time a friend or foe? Repeat on a regular basis! ;)
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8
And if you are not the overwhelmed, look out for those who are and offer a word of support, a cuppa and a battle plan to the one you see who is.
God bless you and Merry Christmas 😂
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