Overwhelming Work

I’ve been asking The Lord to speak to me lately. As I sat yesterday and asked him what he had, I couldn’t stop thinking of work. I have a lot on my plate right now and it can overwhelm me. But in that moment and in the noise I heard him. He said this: “Do not be consumed by your work, but consume it.”

My time in psalms lately has been about a good and conquering God. If he is truly good and conquering then that is the Spirit he has given me. So yesterday I went out to attack and consume my work in the name of Jesus. Needless to say a lot got done, but even if not I went in peace. I went in peace knowing The Lord is my strength. Though there is a lot and always will be a lot to do, work is never meant to consume me. I am meant to consume it. I am meant to be more of myself in work. Yet, I believe the lie that work is just work, even though it’s The Lord’s work. But, work is actually an extension of myself to serve The Lord in his kingdom. He is working and bringing his kingdom. He is saving people and healing them. He is doing the work. I just get to be a part of that. What an honour.

That’s why he gives us sabbath. He gives us sabbath to remind us that our work doesn’t bring salvation. It never can. We are created to enjoy The Lord in work and play. Hebrews 3-4 talk about this rest that still stands. The author reminds us that the people of God enter that rest. It’s just waiting there for us to enter it. We simply need to align ourselves in that rest and know that it is The Lord who does the work. Then we continue with our busy selves not in the stress of the world but in the joy of The Lord.

 

Dreaming is a Necessity

I always loved dreaming about what to do in life. I am in a career path at the moment and lovin it, but I always love to envision myself in other places. I have dreamt of being a teacher and can place that within my career, but what about the extravagant?

Another dream I have had is acting. It didn’t matter whether it was the stage or film, but just the thrill of acting. Here’s why I say this: The Hobbit! I Just watched a bit of this video of behind the scenes. Just to be the “Craft Service Manager” would be cool! Making lattes for Frodo? Sounds great. Get the benefits of being in New Zealand with a low pressure job! Ok I admit, I would also love to be Frodo! Maybe I can be an on-set Spiritual Care Person for films?

Dreaming is a part of life. But then, how can I be content with life where I’m at when I dream of being somewhere else? Why am I here? Well, thanks for popping my dream bubble Brandon! The truth is this: I have desired to help people find true life in Christ my entire life, notwithstanding some bumps in the road. And being a pastor is how I have chosen to live it out. Dreaming can deter me when times are hard as a pastor. Of course grass is greener in another dream. Should that deter me from dreaming? No, because dreams can also do something else, something divine even.

We are created to dream. Our imagination sets us free from the constraints of our situation and can help us look into it from the outside. Thinking outside the box is difficult when we have to live in the box. So, we dream! Dreaming of being a Craft Service Manager for Peter Jackson and Frodo can turn into an Einstein moment in life. Though it hasn’t yet, I can still dream! Who knows, maybe God is the one giving us these dreams? Joseph was convinced that his dreams were from God (of course we know they were), despite the backlash from his brothers and godly father! Though he didn’t know how it would all work out, he still dreamt. Joseph kept that dream pocketed for years but he did keep it and it came about. We need look for moments where our dreams can be integrated into life. I think this will invigorate and re-imagine life. It will give us hope, passion and purpose like never before.

Dreaming is a Necessity! We need it in so many ways. It brings light, joy, fun, prophecy, direction. I could unpack any of the above. Without it, we miss out on re-invigorating life. God uses imagination for us to dream in this world. To dream of how to be all he has created us to be. Dreaming makes us human! So here’s what I say to that: Dream away humans and see what the Lord does!