Friday, October 2, 2015

Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

People-pleasing, affirmation-seeking, problem-fixing…any of these words portray you as well as they portray me? These descriptors aren’t necessarily all bad. The problem comes when these attributes lead to burnout and put us in places we shouldn’t be.

Have any of these situations fit you?

-      You feel led to make a change in your ministry, but self-imposed guilt over leaving your current place has you unable to change.
-      You have a desperately-needed personal time scheduled, but a last-minute call from someone who needs help has you chucking your plans (and this isn’t the first time!).
-      A loved one has issues with irresponsibility.  And you move, time and again, to put yourself between them and their consequences.

What do all of these things have in common?  A lack of trust! Trust that God will fill your ministry spot with someone else He has in mind. Trust that God will provide another suitable helper (or rearrange the other person’s priorities). Trust that God will use situations to grow and mold your loved one. Ultimately, it’s trust that God will do His job - - without your being in charge.

Let’s be honest…trying to do God’s work in all of these places is grueling. It leads to exhaustion in family, in ministry and in our own relationship with our Savior. We were never meant to do it all. God has given us each a set of precious responsibilities and gifts. We must guard our priorities, because to not do so will result in the breakdown of our own hearts via stress and fatigue. When the distractions come, we have to learn to respond appropriately.

In my case, I repeat to myself advice from a friend: “Not my circus, not my monkeys!”
                                                                                                   
GOING DEEPER:
  1. What situations are occurring in your life that you need to step back from and let God take the lead?
  2. For further study, consider reading the book Boundaries  by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend.

FURTHER READING:


Along with caring for her family, Carolyn works as an insurance representative, serves in Oakwood Church as a Community Group leader and a High School home group leader.