Monday, November 28, 2005

not without aim

Lets start with me apologizing for not posting in a while.

As the semester draws nears end, it is getting harder and harder to ignore the fact that I am not as disciplined as I need to be. The excitement has worn off of school and ministry and even this blog and now whether I like it or not it has become a grind. The assignments I've been putting off, the debts I've ignored, the frantic lifestyle of not eating or sleeping enough...all these things are catching up. I know I only have three more weeks and then a nice long relaxing vacation. I could just grit my teeth until then and then crash. But I dont want to live like that. I dont want to live from vacation to vacation. I want to redeem the time I live in. It's just such a struggle to find that balance between plunging into ministry and work and school and yet not burning out. Which is why I know I need to be more focused, more disciplined. I can't tell you how much this grates against my nature but I am starting to see the need for it. So now that I realize I need more discipline in my life I must start asking questions. What is my goal? Is that goal in line with God's will? What things must I give up to pursue this goal? What can I do today to take steps toward that goal?
I want to "run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified." 1 Cor 9:26-10:1

please pray for my journey
and ask yourself where yours is leading

by His grace, for His glory
jrf

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was talking with my pastor about this a while ago. dealing with that feeling of burn out around this time of the semester and he just reminded me about living by the Spirit rather than living by the flesh. we talked over that for awhile and how we (myself mostly) try to do things in our own strength for awhile, and only when we start struggling, do we actually make it a spiritual issue. i know this is a reminder to me to make sure that i'm approaching it right.

although i am just looking forward to Hebrew being over, whether that's right or wrong :)

Andrew Lindsey said...

Thanks for posting on this issue- its one that we can all identify with (my life hasn't gotten much less stressful since graduating) and 'redeeming the time' is an area in which we can all improve.
Another great passage in this regard:

Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord--you serve the Lord Christ. (Col. 3:23-24 HCSB)