In the Dominican Republic, a woman crushes roasted coffee beans in a home-made mortar and pestles
“Many people have burned out in ministries of service and social action precisely because they have been worshiping their own activity instead of God. In such instances, burnout can be a blessed time that perhaps should not be forestalled. Like the rock bottom for the substance addict, burnout for the action addict is sometimes the only way he or she can come to know the difference between the means and the end, between good deeds and God.” (Gerald May. The Awakened Heart. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1991, p. 189.)
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[...] A Good Word: Burnout as Opportunity [...]
While pastoring in Seattle I certainly tasted this: “they have been worshiping their own activity instead of God.” Not that I was doing that intentionally, but subtlety over time, unbeknownst to myself, the transition was made. It lead me a feeling of complete hopelessness and a lack of vitality. Quite frankly I think that I am still rebuilding from the burnout that I was facing during full-time, pastoral ministry. That’s why I am really looking forward to the Journey in a couple of months!
Blessings to you and thank you for the quote.
Matthew – It will be great to share the Journey together over the next couple of years. I know what you mean about burnout. I’m certainly writing, in part, from my own experiences. I don’t think any Christian leader intentionally worships their own activity. Leadership temptations like this are always subtle and sneaky. They really do creep up on you. Idolatry has many faces.
Blessings right back at you…
Alan