Shooting the Breeze

Today I am continuing on in the Mad Church Disease group blogging project. Check out Day 1 here, Day 2 here and Day 3 here. My portion of the project is chapter 4 “External Risk Factors.” This chapter looks at the external factors that when not handled properly can send us down the road of burnout. Let me begin by sharing a bit of my story. Just over two years ago I found myself in a place of emotional, physical and spiritual exhaustion. I was a train wreck. As a result, I ended up having to take almost three months off work. I hated that. I felt like a complete failure and loser for not being able to “make it” at “ministry.” Of course, there were many external factors and internal factors that lead to this. Anne presents many of these factors in this chapter and in the previous one. I am not going to dwell on these in this post.

What I want to share briefly about is the last couple of pages that are titled “A Blaze of Glory.” This quote resonated very much with me because it rings so true in my life: “Even through the most difficult circumstances we become able to share to share his story, to share his healing, and to give glory to God, which is what it’s all about anyway” (pg. 89). Two years ago, I desperately needed healing emotionally, physically and spiritually. Thankfully God provided that healing. It was the most painful time of my life BUT because of it I am a more healed person and a more whole person. God has given me a new lease on life and I give Him all the glory for that! I am not sure what my future holds (as none of us do:) but I do know that God won’t waste anything in my life. He will use everything (the good, the bad and the ugly) in my life to bring about His purposes in my life.

I want to conclude with this quote that Anne presents by Oswald Chambers. No matter what circumstances you find yourself in right now, I pray that these words may be an encouragement to you as they were to me : “The circumstances of a saint’s life are ordained by God. In the life of a saint there is no such thing as chance. God by his providence brings you into circumstances that you can’t understand at all, but the Spirit of God understands. God brings you to places, among people, and into certain conditions to accomplish a definite purpose through the intercession of the Spirit in you… Once you have the right relationship with God through salvation and sanctification, remember that whatever your circumstances many be,you have been placed in them by God. And God uses the reaction of your life to your circumstances to fulfill his purposes, as long as you continue to ‘walk in the light as he is in the light’” (1 John 1:7) (pg. 89).

How has God used “the reaction of your life to your circumstances to fulfill his purposes”?

***** The discussion continues tomorrow here.

I have the privilege of participating in another great group blogging project. Last time it was on Seth Godin’s book “Tribes” (you can read my contribution here and check here for other people’s contributions). This time we are doing Anne Jackson’s book “Mad Church Disease.” Here is the schedule of those participating:

Andy Darnell – www.andydarnell.com – Chapter 1 – 6/8

Santos Samayoa – santz on the journey – Chapter 2 – 6/9

John Gruber – johngruber 2.0 – Chapter 3 – 6/10

Kevin Martineau – Shooting the Breeze – Chapter 4 – 6/11

Larry Johnson – Man4God – Chapter 5 – 6/12

Adam Shields – Mr Shields – Chapter 6 – 6/15

Chris Downs – Through the Christ Glass – Chapter 7 – 6/16

Dawn Carter – http://decarter.wordpress.com – Chapter 8 – 6/17

Jenny Wilburn – – Chapter 9 – 6/18

Vikki Huisman – – Ch. 10 – 6/19

Anne Jackson – – Chapter 11 – 6/22

I will update these links daily so that they take you straight to the post. Come and join the discussion on this very important topic!