Worn-out and Weary this Christmas?

My day had been long, but my to-do list was even longer. Finally, I tumbled into bed. My body crashed, yet my mind continued to run through the untamed check-list. How does a list take a life of its own and develop a growth spurt? I admit every entry seemed necessary and manageable until the application.

Do you ever feel worn-out and weary at Christmas because you are trying to do it all?! I do! So what is a gal to do when she is too tired to enjoy the holidays?

Here is what I am learning. I hope it helps you too!

Adrian Rogers once said, "All Good Deeds Do Not Glorify God." Friend, we can become physically and mentally worn out by doing good things God never intended for us to do. Sometimes, we try to take on too much, and good things become overwhelming. This leaves no time to do what God has called us to accomplish. Often we may desire to do many good deeds. However, we were not meant to do it all.

There was a man in the Bible who was full of good deeds. However, he tried to take on too much. Exodus 18 records his story.

"And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?” And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.

So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself."

If you are feeling weary and worn today, re-examine your list. Three practical questions to ask yourself are:

1. What can I eliminate?

I often take my list to the Lord and ask Him for direction. Yes, the goals I have listed may be good, but perhaps they are not what God has intended for me. I think of my calling as I look at my list. If an entry does not match my calling, I have the freedom to eliminate it. Perhaps, it will be a process to eliminate due to promises made. However, you can create a new plan moving forward to eliminate good deeds, if they are not the best deeds for your life calling.

2. What can I delegate?

Jethro saw that Moses needed to delegate some of his responsibilities. Others could help the needs that had to be accomplished. The same is true for you and me. Allow family, friends, co-workers and/or neighbors to bear your burden with you.

“Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you."

Exodus 18:24 reads, "Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions." Moses became a hero of the faith that led a nation into freedom. Friend, I don't know your calling, but I know you have a calling. Others depend on you. For you to be all that God has for you, you must not try to do it all. The next time you feel weary and worn, remind yourself that all good deeds are not God-honoring. Re-examine your to-do list and ask yourself, "What can I eliminate and what can I delegate"?

3. What can I celebrate?

I have to remind myself that my gratitude changed my attitude. Do not be so busy that you forget to celebrate the One true gift of the Christmas season. Jesus Christ is the reason for the season. I encourage you to Celebrate! He changed my everything.

As your head hits the pillow tonight, I pray you will rest well. Allow your body to be renewed, but your mind as well. Rest your mind because there is enough time to do what God has called you to do. Eliminate the good deeds that are not your calling. Delegate the good deeds that you can so you can step into your God-given assignment. There is no need to be worn-out and weary this Christmas! As we work to focus, we will leave time for Celebration!

Merry Christmas, Friend!