That great theologian and philosopher Toby Keith once said, "I'm not as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was." Sometimes that is how people live their lives. They won't worry about how good they can consistently do something or how long they can fight a good fight; they just worry about the flash-in-the-pan moment laid before them.
The last time I served a full term on a deacon's board I remember talking one evening about the importance of executing ideas that are sustainable rather than ideas that seemed like the most attractive thing we could do once. You see this commonly in lay-ministry (and in vocational ministry, for that matter) where someone boldly takes on a major task or commitment only to find out that it was too much to keep up. They were equipped to do it once or twice, but they couldn't keep up the pace. They burned out. As a result of their misjudgment, their ministry was hindered and their testimony muted.
Most of us are familiar with the parable of the seeds and the sower. In Matthew 13, Christ describes different types of individuals who have varying levels of spiritual maturity and depth. Look how Jesus describes those super motivated souls who tackle the big problems but aren't aware of their depth...
"Other seeds fell on rocky ground where it didn't have much soil, and it grew up quickly since the soil wasn't deep. But when the sun came up, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away. (Matthew 13:5-6)
I am not a person who sits still very often; it's not in my blood. Discussing this behavior with a close friend who is also a busybody, we noted that a part of being in constant motion is knowing when to convert some of that energy into growth, rest, and rejuvenation. Perhaps most importantly, we have to understand the depth of our own roots. If we don't, then as soon as a calling gets tough we are destined to wither away in the dry heat of opposition.
Fortunately, roots can be grown. We learn as individuals how to manage our stress effectively. We learn as Christians how to overlook the stresses of daily life to focus on the work God is doing. As people and as disciples, we can grow deeper roots, but we have to work for it. Disciplined study of the scriptures, a healthy prayer life, and spending time in meditation of how God is working in your life are crucial to understanding where we are called to be.
If we insist on serving in an area that God is not calling us, or where God has not equipped us, burn-out is almost a guarantee. On the other hand, if we diligently work, train, and grow in areas where God is calling us, we will eventually be strong enough to meet the challenges laid before us. It may not happen when we want it or how we want it, but we can grow our roots. The first step is understanding how deep our roots truly go so that we can be realistic in the tasks we take on and begin the process of strengthening and growing.
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