Word of Encouragement Devotional: Being Good at One Thing or Being Mediocre at Many Things

How many roles do you have? Wife, mother, group leader, employee, etc. How many of the roles do you perform partially because there is not enough of you to go around? How many of the roles that you have you actually need to have, and how many you take on because of what others may expect of you?

Christians are no exception to carrying too many roles, in fact many are overloaded with various duties and responsibilities that are not allowing them to be great at one thing. If you are serving everywhere you will get burned-out! Christians don’t like to talk about burn-out, but it is real and I am concerned it is happening too frequently behind the guise of “serving like Jesus.” Jesus never overloaded his plate, and always made time for God.

In a small group I was in previously a question was asked what we did and who we were. Several of the women answered they were involved in leading or attending several small groups, not just one but multiple areas of serving. The last lady to answer the question said, “I feel bad, I don’t do what you all do, I’m just a stay at home mom.” I spoke up immediately and said that was great that she chooses to be great at the one thing God was calling her to do, and not running around all over the place while her children were neglected.

Reflect:

Why do we feel we need to have so many roles going on at the same time? Insecurity, people-pleasing, wanting approval from others, or want the recognition?

I got together with a good friend of mine and took some time catching up with what was going on in each other’s lives. After hearing all the roles my friend was trying to juggle at the same time, I was exhausted! My friend is in ministry full-time, volunteers in the nursery at church, is a leader of a small group, attends a small group, caregiver to a parent, and grandmother to several grandchildren. However, her overloaded schedule is not uncommon, many people choose to “burn the candle at both ends.”

I asked my friend two important questions, one, “When do you spend time with the Lord and get still before Him?” and second, “When do you rest?” There was a blank stare on her face as if I spoke something foreign.

If you don’t have time to spend with God and you don’t have time to rest-You are too busy! Do what God has called you to do and do it well by not being spilt between multiple roles.