Not My Circus, Not My Monkeys
By Carolyn Hulliberger
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
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:
- What situations are occurring in your life that you need to step
back from and let God take the lead?
- 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 and serves in Oakwood Church as a Community
Group leader.
