Oct 21, 01:55 PM by Mike Mitrovich
Don't point that at me, it's got a nail in it!
You know that saying about how when you point your finger at someone, your other fingers are all pointing back at you? With me it’s been more like those fingers have been slowly drumming at my forehead like medieval water torture that after months of pounding has FINALLY brought out the truth.
As evidenced in some recent posts, I complain about my church a lot lately. It does too much. It does many things poorly instead of a few things really well. It is unorganized. It fails to evaluate its processes regularly if at all. In essence, it has become this massive amoeba of “doing” that no longer really knows why or how it does what it does. And people are suffering.
The truth is this:
I do too much. I do many things poorly instead of a few things well. I am unorganized. I have failed to take time out to reflect on my time, my priorities, my health, all of it. I have been a dead leaf, blowing wherever the wind sends me, often whirling in circle upon circle down the same avenues and getting stuck in the same gutters, only to find myself there again and again every day. A raccoon that has grasped after some shiny thing in a narrow hole, and remain trapped because I won’t let go.
And people are suffering.
My family suffers from my divided time. My friends suffer from my lack of attention. My coworkers suffer from my lack of focus. My body suffers from poor health. My dog suffers because I never have time to play. And I suffer from fatigue, regret, worry, bitterness, sadness, stiffness and anxiety.
I think it’s time I stop pointing, uncurl my fingers, and start using my hands for something useful… starting with handing ALL of it to God.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11 : 28-30
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3 comments on "Don't point that at me, it's got a nail in it!"
1
you could be writing about me! My wife has been teaching me the art of saying “no”, my kids the art of being silly and playful again, and God the beauty of simplicity and stillness. Trouble is, it is easy to forget all these simple lessons and plough on regardless
2
Y’know what’s funny? Remember how I told you I wrote this long thing as a reply to an earlier post, but then ended up abandoning it? It so went right along with exactly what you’re talking about here. It’s so important to reflect on what is actually important and then prioritize.
My faith is important to me, not that anyone would think that based on the amount of time I’ve spent with God lately. But is that the churches fault for not being what I want it to be? Or is it my fault for not searching out ways to bring myself close to God? I think that I need to figure out what’s important and make it work. If I need to cut back, then cut back. I’m actually pretty happy that I said I just couldn’t teach Sunday School this year. My family needs me in the pew with them every week.
I suppose that’s step 1 in what needs to be a very deliberate assessment of my priorities. Many steps to follow.
3
Steve: Yes! I am so thankful for all the teachers God has placed in my life. Now to get out of the habit of skipping class…
Colin: I hear you loud and clear. The other night I started brainstorming all the things I need to re-prioritize and as the writing got more and more dense, I realized there really aren’t enough hours in the day to do it all.
Like you said, “not that anyone would think that based on the amount of time I’ve spent…”
The things I would LIKE to be my priorities just plain haven’t been. I haven’t made them so.
In my head, they are priorities, but my actions just aren’t there yet.