To avoid burnout, Ash reminds us that we are not God. Unlike God, we need sleep, days off, friends, refreshment (inward renewal). We need to avoid the trap of seeking renown and glory. We need to be mindful that our ministry is worth it, even when things don’t go to plan, and that it is God’s work. Finally, we need to delight in the grace of being in a saving relationship with God, and not in his gifts.
The good news is, no matter how much of a mess we’ve made, no matter how disordered things become, no matter how distant we’ve become from God, we are not beyond his reach. God can make order from our disorder. No mess is too big to clean up.
Perhaps some of us have realised that the disorder we experience is due to the choices that we have made and have come to believe that there is now nothing left for us except disorder. This simply isn’t true. God can bring order from our spiritual disorder. God can bring us to a state of order better than what we can possibly imagine. God can release us from any form of oppression and abundantly bless us with justice and mercy.
Our sense of who we are is disordered. Yet, as increasingly disordered as the modern West is becoming, we can be confident that God is working to create a greater order that locates our identity in him.
The NDIS was intended to empower those who are most vulnerable in our communities – those with disabilities. For some this is true. Many people with disabilities are enjoying liberties and living fulfilling lives that they did not have previously. However, search any news source on the NDIS and a dark side to this empowerment utopia is discovered. The NDIS is making the most vulnerable in our communities more vulnerable. What is going wrong?
There are implications to knowing how God is our creator. The Bible wants us to understand and to have it first and foremost in our minds that God is a creator. This brings out the beauty of creator God bringing order from disorder.
When we experience disorder, we feel disenfranchised, disconnected, and isolated. Whether it be the loss of a job, breakdown of a relationship, compromised health, financial trouble, the separation of death, ongoing disrespect from colleagues and ridicule from opposition, or simply because our day hasn’t met our expectations, these are experiences of disorder. When the experience of disorder is profound, life can seem meaningless and futile. This is when we need to start looking for order.
When we face times of disorder, we can find solace by taking a deep dive into the Old Testament prophets and writers, discover the hope and the wonder they had in God, and draw rock-solid courage during the utmost of discouraging times. Join me on my journey of discovering how God creates order from disorder.
Who are you? What makes you who you are? What are you known for? How do you experience peace in your life? These are all questions that revolve around the idea of completeness or having a fulfilling life.
A look back at a wonderful year of partnering with PCNSW in justice and mercy.
