As I look at the long list of events filling the next few weeks on my calendar, am I weighing my burdens or counting my blessings? I can easily be overwhelmed when I see a single planner page including the spring program, open house, skit rehearsals, Easter Sunday, teen takeover, revival meetings, teen fair, Jr. Nerf War, Bible studies, a business meeting, and at least eight other scheduled meetings. Or I can compare it to last year’s April calendar that was filled with nothing but a desire to get out of the house and do something for Christ. It all comes down to how I choose to view it.
There was a church in the First Century that filled its schedule with events, and work days, and things to do for God. Jesus said of this church, “I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience…And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.” This church did a lot for Christ, yet He goes on to say “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” The people in the Church at Ephesus in Revelations 2 were so focused on bearing their cross and doing their best that they forgot why they were doing it in the first place. They were carrying their burdens not counting their blessings.
As Christians, running our race we are to be “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, des-pising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For con-sider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wea-ried and faint in your minds.” (Hebrews 12:2-3) As soon as we take our eyes off of Jesus and begin looking at the size and number of jobs we have to do, we become weary and faint in our minds. As we enter this season of activities, let us keep our eyes so firmly fixed upon Jesus that we stray not from our love for Him, and we be not overwhelmed by the magnitude of what we are able to accomplish through Christ.
– Pastor Robert Meyer