Plate spinning ain’t easy.
The art of plate spinning goes back thousands of years beginning in the Han Dynasty. It is now closely associated with circus acts or comedy routines in western culture. I want to associate it with everyday life. Our lives at times feel like we are spinning plates or juggling balls and no matter how hard we try or how much we practice, we see plates crash to the ground or balls fall and roll down the driveway away from us.
I’m not that great at spinning multiple plates at once.
I know my life has felt like this at times. I work hard at keeping family unity, food on the table, the house maintained, bills paid, clothes washed, dishes cleaned, gas in the vehicles, the balance of three working schedules, family devotions, personal devotions, prayer time, play time with the kids, time with Amy, small group preparation, ministry leadership, ministry preparation, Chick-fil-A expectations, maintaining friendships outside my typical work/church/living spheres, and everything else that has to be done every single week.
Each one of these tasks or responsibilities in my life are plates that I have tried to spin and maintain on my own. I cannot spin all of these plates at the same time with the same care, and live a content life relying on my abilities to keep plates from crashing all around me.
A huge mess.
I came across a prayer in a book that I was reading and thought that it was a timely word for me. What I have deemed a timely word for my soul is really a timeless word for all of us. Life is a messy journey and it has been just that over the last few months. Here is the prayer:
“God, I am scurrying around like a chicken with its head cut off, making a huge mess everywhere I go. Why, God, when I know I do better and work more efficiently when I wait quietly and listen for your guidance, do I rush about – driven by time rather than by you? Help me, God, to slow down, to be silent, so I can hear you and do your will, not mine.”
Repenting of the sin of self-promotion.
For far too long I have relied on my skills and talents to get me results. Sin has caused my God-given skills and talents to shift from bringing God glory to self-promotion.
I recently read the book, The Emotionally Healthy Leader: How transforming your inner life will deeply transform your church, team and the world, by Peter Scazzero. Aside from the Bible, this is the most influential book I have ever read. I highly recommend it to everyone.
In reading this book, I became aware that I chronically overextend and exhaust myself and my family.
Psalm 127 has been an encouragement to me during this journey. I hope that it will be for you as well.
Psalm 127: 1-2 says,
Unless the Lord builds a house,
its builders labor over it in vain;
unless the Lord watches over a city,
the watchman stays alert in vain.
In vain you get up early and stay up late,
working hard to have enough food—
yes, he gives sleep to the one he loves.
Illumination
This Psalm tells me that I don’t have to spin all of the plates in my life. If I try to keep all of the plates spinning I am laboring in vain, and not using my gifts in the way that he designed them the be used. I am wasting my gifts.
God is the only one powerful enough to keep each plate spinning. My responsibility is to rest in his assurance and ALL things are being worked out, re-purposed, reallocated for my good and his glory. God is still living and active, and he is shaping my heart for the work he wants to do in me and through me.
Restoration
The Holy Spirit is convicting me of sins I didn’t even know existed. In other words, generational sins that I pray end with me and are not passed on to my children. For instance, I crave acceptance and approval from others, when the only acceptance and approval I need comes from Christ Jesus. The Spirit is purifying my soul through prayer, personal study, books, and other believers.
One thing is certain, I don’t have to labor in vain. Christ labored in my stead to cover my vanity on the cross and conquered sin and death to rescue, redeem and restore me. Through Jesus Christ, I have communion with my Creator. |
