Uninspired

Its only January 6th and I already feel uninspired.  I feel as if I have nothing profound to say today and nothing is important enough to share with you, faithful readers.  My lack of motivation, though, has given me an idea.

An inspiration, I guess!

How often do you feel like you are asked to do something by someone that you don't really want to do . . . but you say yes anyway?

Why do we do that?

For me, its usually because I don't want to let anyone down.  I don't want to upset anyone and I can't bear the thought of someone not liking me.  I am a people-pleaser at the core and this is a seriously dangerous affliction.

Some of you might do it because your sense of "doing the right thing" is actually tied to doing everything.  But doing everything makes a person weary and burn out comes quick as a hiccup.

I have another problem of pouring myself into a project or an opportunity with such aggressiveness and passion that I tend to burn out quick.  I'm a member of WhiteWater Christian Church and have been for a couple months now.  I had lunch with my pastor yesterday and those conversations with him are really good for me.  They're encouraging and inspiring. In fact, when I leave our worship services or interact with the staff at the church in anyway I always feel good.  I feel so good, in fact, that I start to think about all the things I can do to get involved.  I think about all the gifts that God has given me and all the interests I have and I start to almost fantasize about the things I can be doing there.

Luckily, the gray on my temples is slowly coming in and I'm able to also sit back and tell myself to slow down and not be so impulsive.  One, I need to be doing those things for the right reasons.  I do not need to be doing anything to impress anyone with how helpfulandwonderfulandkindandsmartandalentedandgenerous I am.  I don't need to do anything just because they asked me to, though I have been very good about being honest about my current limitations.  I have agreed to do some things that I feel I'm ready and able to do and I'm excited about those opportunities.

So, what about you? Do you find yourself agreeing to do things because you want to please someone?  Do you like to impress people as much as I do?  Or maybe you are feeling uninspired?  Perhaps something is burning inside of you right now to do something but you don't know how to channel it?  I'd love for you to share with all of us in the comments section.


PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I come to you this morning with Thanksgiving.  Thank You for blessing me with talents, gifts, and opportunities.  Thank You for allowing me to discover those gifts and thank You for giving me a mother and other encouraging people who have pushed me to explore and share those gifts.  Thank You also for the moments of humility where things don't turn out so good and it reminds me that reliance on You is of utmost significance.  Be with those out there who feel that they don't have any gifts or talents, Father, and allow others to come into their life who will speak encouragement to them.  Allow them to find someone in the world who can share with them how special they are and reflect Your special feelings for them in human form.  Inspire us all, God, and remind us to use that inspiration for the betterment of Your Kingdom.  In Jesus name, Amen.

READING: The Seven Seasons of a Man's Life by Patrick Morley - Chapter 5 "How Can We Know God Personally", Moments with the Savior by Ken Gire - "An Intimate Moment with Mary and Joseph", Getting Fired for the Glory of God by Mike Yaconelli - "Hurried Discipleship" and "The 'Trouble' With Youth Ministry"