Resources/Articles
Overloaded: The Burden I Carry (2)
How much is too much? When we get tired? When we get sick? When we lose perspective? When we get irritated and frustrated? When we yell and scream? What are the signs of being overburdened? the symptoms vary, but the remedy is the same...
For many Christians, the remedy is, “I need to do better...I don’t need to let...I should stop this...” Temporarily, we “fix” our overload with quick actions we believe are designed to “get us back on track.” How long does it last? It may be a few days, then the process recycles. Grant it, some burdens are never removed, but some burdens we need to stop not temporarily, but permanently.
Removing a burden is not an app you download to your phone. You cannot download being better, humility, character, faith, love, self-control, or find an app for purity, courage, or motivation to worship.
Read 1 Timothy 4:7-16. Within that passage, if you care to examine it, is a value and belief system a Christian cannot quickly or automatically download or log into. What should be most important to us is what is on God’s mind about who we should be. What is on God’s mind is most often different from what we download every day. We are called upon to exercise, train, labor, strive, give heed, neglect not the gift, be diligent, and give of ourselves. All of this is as v. 9 says: “It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance” (NASB). It is worth accepting into our overcrowded lives.
Does it mean we will be removed of responsibility? NO! It means the responsibility is ours to believe and trust God for what He desires us to be. If you read the first 17 verses of Colossians 3, it points us in a better direction. We no longer take our cues from the world (Colossians 3:1-4). We operate by a system of values from heaven. Instead of seeing only the present, God wants us to see “The Big Picture.”
Seeing “The Big Picture” is what a parent will often teach his children. Parents desire that their children consider the implications of their actions - Who they are with, what they wear and hear, etc. A person who drinks alcohol and drives can kill someone. Being mean to others may leave them wounded for life. A cheat is going to miss learning about honesty. “Having fun” may result in pregnancy. Any bad decision can lead to being haunted by painful memories in the end.
Having “died with Christ” (Galatians 2:20), and having been raised with Him, we are to be living for the Lord, not everyone or everything else. It is an investment in eternity. Heed the directions from above, not the preferences of men. Remove and put to death what is sinful and the things that plague your life. Pursue inner holiness (Colossians 3:5-14).
Overloading and busyness is like adding carbohydrates, fat, calories, sugar, salt, taste, quantity, and pleasure to your diet. It feels good now. You enjoy it. You see the results. Pounds are added. Digestive, circular, and neurological problems increase. The first thing we say is, “I need to go on a diet. I feel lousy.” When people do, they talk about how much more energy they have, and how much better they feel. People compliment them on looking better. Attitudes change. They have more self-confidence. It is identical to the “old man”/”new man” scenario in Colossians 3:5-14.
Our pursuit as Christians is no longer the “old man,” but the “new man,” which remedies busyness and aids spirituality. Instead of being reactive, lustful, dishonest, and doing what is convenient, substitute these with what is better: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, mercy, and love. Focus on relationships with God and the people around us. Instead of worrying about self, others, and things, focusing on relationships resolves our overloading. Be a part of other people’s world, not in a tweet, blog, or text, but in person. Our impersonal touch with people in artificial ways will not fulfill what this passage desires us to do. Our busyness does it impersonally, but the heart of the “new man” touches others in person.
Live in peace and joy with the Lord (Colossians 3:15-17). Can you say you have peace and joy in your life? It is often absent from overcommitted Christians. As a result, brethren complain more than they are attentive, lazy more than active, pew warmers more than teachers, or wishing someone would start this or stop that, while failing to step up themselves. Christians who have the “peace of Christ” and “thankful” hearts and let the “word of Christ dwell,” never have problems with singing (v. 16), attendance, visiting, hospitality, separate Bible studies, or teaching.
The “new man” is not overloaded with the Lord’s work or “putting up with” what they have to do. They are not motivated to serve Christ by guilt, but joy. They are not frustrated, but confident. Christians need to make sure they belong to Christ and are doing His work. Forsake playing the “religion game.” Forsake relying upon your own strength. Belong to Christ and remove busyness. Turn to Christ and find the new life He has to offer. Instead of constantly asking, “What will others think?” we need to ask, “What does the Lord think and want me to do?” You will be surprised at how different the answers are to those two questions.
Being a Christian was not meant to be another burden in what you consider an overloaded life. It is meant to be what Jesus intended in Matthew 11:28-30. This is why He urges us to come to Him. Take on His yoke. The responsibilities in living are met with His help. Do you believe Him? Then follow Him.
