Nehemiah 2:17-18 (NIV)
17 Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace." 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work.
Nehemiah had a dream. He wanted to rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem. No longer would his people be in disgrace if the city could be rebuilt. Ezra had led the people to rebuild the temple. Nehemiah would have to lead the people to rebuild the city. He could not do it all by himself. He must have their help even though he knew that God would be his strength.
I have seen so many people crash and burn before they would ask for help They will allow their finances to pull them into bankruptcy, their weight to shorten their lives, their addictions to control their futures or their loneliness to bring them despair. They will not ask for help even though they know they can't do it all by themselves.
I have seen people in church try to do it all. They will set out to clear the grounds, paint the fellowship hall or cook for every church dinner without asking for help. They will take on the entire church preschool without asking for another person to help them. Church will become a burden rather than a blessing. They will not be able to accomplish the things God wants of them without help. Yet, they will not ask for help.
God never intended for us to do great things all alone. Moses had to learn from his father-in-law about delegation. Delegation is a means of enlisting help. He was being worn out while he was wearing out the people who would have to stand in long lines all day long so Moses could make a judgment for them. He had to have help or he would never be able to lead God's people to the Promised Land.
The Apostles knew they needed help when the problem with the distribution of food came. They knew it would not be good for them to neglect the word or prayer in order to wait tables. They enlisted the first deacons to serve so that they could continue in what they had been called to do.
Why don't you ask for help in something that you know God wants you to do? Would you ask for help to beat an addiction? Would you ask for help to solve what appears to be an unsolvable problem?
You should . . . because trying to do it all by yourself isn't going to get you anywhere.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Why Did You Doubt?
It happens more than enough times. I seem to have enough faith for everyone else but myself. I can tell others that they should trust in God during a crisis but I have trouble with my own crises. I doubt when I should be trusting.
This is the story of Simon Peter getting out of the boat to walk on the water to Jesus. He just couldn't keep his eyes on Jesus. He had to look at the problem right in front of him. The pulled the problem so close to his eyes that he couldn't see anything but the problem. His mind was consumed with it. All he could think about was drowning. He began to sink until Jesus grabbed him.
I was on a church staff that had not received a raise for several years. My family was young and we were barely able to exist on what I was making. God moved me to a new church in another state. That church had given raises to its staff consistently for over twenty years. The pastor of this church had served there from its establishment. So, I accepted a home loan whose monthly payments would increase in each year for two years.
The pastor of this church left for a new ministry ten months after I came on staff. The church decided that the finances would fall during the interim. They decided not to give the staff a raise. This meant that I would not receive any more money even though my house payment was about to go up in a couple of months.
I began to gripe. I doubted. I was in fear of not being able to make ends meet. None of those words I had said to others about trusting in the Lord made any sense to me. I felt like I would drown in the needs I had for my family.
Soon afterwards things began to happen that amazed me. I would go to the mailbox to get the mail and find an envelope with hundred dollar bills. Over the next year this would happen several times. The envelopes were not addressed so that whoever placed them in our mailbox had to do so personally. There was no note and no indication as to who had given us this money. After tallying the amount I had received from the mailbox I realized that I had received more than I would have gotten if I had received the normal raise the church would have given.
The next year the staff was told that the church was excited that it could again resume giving raises. I wasn't so sure I wanted them to. I was doing better without the raise!
Why did I doubt? Why did I look at my problems instead of looking at Jesus? I don't know. I just know that I haven't gotten over this problem yet no matter how many times the Lord provides for me. Doubt seems more natural for me than faith.
Yet, I know the truth. My God meets my every need even if I don't fix my eyes on Him.
However, it would be nice if I would just fix my eyes on Him rather than my problems just once.
Matthew 14:31 (ESV)
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
This is the story of Simon Peter getting out of the boat to walk on the water to Jesus. He just couldn't keep his eyes on Jesus. He had to look at the problem right in front of him. The pulled the problem so close to his eyes that he couldn't see anything but the problem. His mind was consumed with it. All he could think about was drowning. He began to sink until Jesus grabbed him.
I was on a church staff that had not received a raise for several years. My family was young and we were barely able to exist on what I was making. God moved me to a new church in another state. That church had given raises to its staff consistently for over twenty years. The pastor of this church had served there from its establishment. So, I accepted a home loan whose monthly payments would increase in each year for two years.
The pastor of this church left for a new ministry ten months after I came on staff. The church decided that the finances would fall during the interim. They decided not to give the staff a raise. This meant that I would not receive any more money even though my house payment was about to go up in a couple of months.
I began to gripe. I doubted. I was in fear of not being able to make ends meet. None of those words I had said to others about trusting in the Lord made any sense to me. I felt like I would drown in the needs I had for my family.
Soon afterwards things began to happen that amazed me. I would go to the mailbox to get the mail and find an envelope with hundred dollar bills. Over the next year this would happen several times. The envelopes were not addressed so that whoever placed them in our mailbox had to do so personally. There was no note and no indication as to who had given us this money. After tallying the amount I had received from the mailbox I realized that I had received more than I would have gotten if I had received the normal raise the church would have given.
The next year the staff was told that the church was excited that it could again resume giving raises. I wasn't so sure I wanted them to. I was doing better without the raise!
Why did I doubt? Why did I look at my problems instead of looking at Jesus? I don't know. I just know that I haven't gotten over this problem yet no matter how many times the Lord provides for me. Doubt seems more natural for me than faith.
Yet, I know the truth. My God meets my every need even if I don't fix my eyes on Him.
However, it would be nice if I would just fix my eyes on Him rather than my problems just once.
Matthew 14:31 (ESV)
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Fewer People Are Singing in Church
I have noticed that fewer people sing in church and that it has nothing to do with music styles.
Our church has two services which represent two different music styles. One service has hymns. It is supported instrumentally with a piano and pipe organ. Frequently a flute, trumpet and clarinet add to the singing of the hymns. The other service has the music played on the local Christian radio stations. The instruments are lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, drums, violins, keyboard and mandolin. The styles are not the problem. Many people have just stopped singing.
Is this a reflection of our society or our faith? After all, we no longer sing the National Anthem at sporting events. No, we get a rock star to ruin the words! (The only song we regularly sing is "Take Me Out to the Ballgame.") Are we developing a audience mentality in just about everything we do?
Many people no longer mow their own grass, clean their own houses, change the oil in their cars or even wash their own cars anymore. People are hired to do all of this. They simply pass over their credit cards.
Could this be the results of watching television for generations? I have heard that a person burns more calories sleeping than watching television. Television encourages passivity. Even the worst of news is hardly cause enough to get up from the couch.
Isn't it funny that we blame McDonald's for obesity when our grandparents who ate nothing that was fat free were never overweight. The difference is that they worked off all those calories they had taken in. I'll admit that Americans take in way too many calories daily but I will also state that they are making no effort to burn off those extra calories either. They don't get out and do. The stay in and don't!
Does the lack of singing reveal a flaw in our worship? The person who sings a solo is generally better than most of the congregation. Have we communicated that these solos are the standard each person must reach in order to sing?
Maybe church has become an activity that people take casually. In other words, they go to church if nothing better comes up. Therefore, they sing casually too. They don't feel compelled to be at church and don't come. They don't feel compelled to sing so they they don't. They don't have the testimonies that these songs portray. Therefore, singing these songs has no meaning.
Actually, it may be all of these reasons that people don't sing. I just don't think it is healthy.
Psalm 30:4 (NIV)
4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name.
Psalm 47:6 (NIV)
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
Psalm 59:16 (NIV)
16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 89:1 (NIV)
1 I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.
Psalm 101:1 (NIV)
1 I will sing of your love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will sing praise.
Our church has two services which represent two different music styles. One service has hymns. It is supported instrumentally with a piano and pipe organ. Frequently a flute, trumpet and clarinet add to the singing of the hymns. The other service has the music played on the local Christian radio stations. The instruments are lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, drums, violins, keyboard and mandolin. The styles are not the problem. Many people have just stopped singing.
Is this a reflection of our society or our faith? After all, we no longer sing the National Anthem at sporting events. No, we get a rock star to ruin the words! (The only song we regularly sing is "Take Me Out to the Ballgame.") Are we developing a audience mentality in just about everything we do?
Many people no longer mow their own grass, clean their own houses, change the oil in their cars or even wash their own cars anymore. People are hired to do all of this. They simply pass over their credit cards.
Could this be the results of watching television for generations? I have heard that a person burns more calories sleeping than watching television. Television encourages passivity. Even the worst of news is hardly cause enough to get up from the couch.
Isn't it funny that we blame McDonald's for obesity when our grandparents who ate nothing that was fat free were never overweight. The difference is that they worked off all those calories they had taken in. I'll admit that Americans take in way too many calories daily but I will also state that they are making no effort to burn off those extra calories either. They don't get out and do. The stay in and don't!
Does the lack of singing reveal a flaw in our worship? The person who sings a solo is generally better than most of the congregation. Have we communicated that these solos are the standard each person must reach in order to sing?
Maybe church has become an activity that people take casually. In other words, they go to church if nothing better comes up. Therefore, they sing casually too. They don't feel compelled to be at church and don't come. They don't feel compelled to sing so they they don't. They don't have the testimonies that these songs portray. Therefore, singing these songs has no meaning.
Actually, it may be all of these reasons that people don't sing. I just don't think it is healthy.
Psalm 30:4 (NIV)
4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name.
Psalm 47:6 (NIV)
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
Psalm 59:16 (NIV)
16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 89:1 (NIV)
1 I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.
Psalm 101:1 (NIV)
1 I will sing of your love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will sing praise.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Do You Sometimes Feel Like God Has Turned His Back on You?
It seems like some people get all the breaks. Their lives are full of successes. They get to do exactly what they like when they like. Their businesses flourish. Their lives are full of joy.
You, on the other hand, work harder than they do. You pour your heart out to God. And what do you get as a reward? More and more defeat. It seems like you shall never have a victory. It seems like your lot in life is despair.
Do you sometimes think God has turned His back on you? Do you think that He has either forgotten you or has turned against you? Maybe you don't need to have a victory every day but you would certainly like to have one every once in a while.
Have you ever thought that instead of this being your fate or that God had turned His back on you that He is really doing more in your life than those who seem to have the amazing victories? You have produced some fruit and God is pruning you so that you will bear even more.
God has not chosen us to be famous or gather large crowds of admirers. He has chosen us to be disciples and to make disciples. Being a disciple requires that we become like our Master. Our character should match the character of Jesus.
We are instantly changed when we become believers. Our spirit becomes responsive to the Holy Spirit. We are changed from inside out. But we are also in need of change. We become like Jesus by the removal of the things that are contrary to who He is and accepting the things that are like Him. Unfortunately, both of these require a painful transformation.
Character flaws are removed by challenging our status quo. Patience is brought to us by exasperating situations. Our tested patience fails. So, it is tested again and again until we have patience as a character trait. Impatience has been removed by producing patience. If we are full of pride, we are humbled until humility becomes a character trait. If we lack peace we are given troubling times until our lack of peace is replaced with peace.
Not only has God not forgotten us when these things happen; He is actually working more directly with us that we have known before. He has seen in us what we may not have seen in ourselves. (He is never wrong.) He sees us as truly fruit bearing believers who will be changed positively by the pruning He will do on us.
I suppose most people would rather there was a different way to become like Jesus. I know I would. But I have never seen the lack of resistance produce strength. No Olympian has ever won a medal by sitting on a couch. It required a lot of hard work and pain.
So, the next time that you think God has turned His back on you remember this: He is giving you His full attention as He brings you through the process of becoming like His Son.
Unfortunately, the process means we have to go through significant challenges.
John 15:1-2 (ESV)
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
You, on the other hand, work harder than they do. You pour your heart out to God. And what do you get as a reward? More and more defeat. It seems like you shall never have a victory. It seems like your lot in life is despair.
Do you sometimes think God has turned His back on you? Do you think that He has either forgotten you or has turned against you? Maybe you don't need to have a victory every day but you would certainly like to have one every once in a while.
Have you ever thought that instead of this being your fate or that God had turned His back on you that He is really doing more in your life than those who seem to have the amazing victories? You have produced some fruit and God is pruning you so that you will bear even more.
God has not chosen us to be famous or gather large crowds of admirers. He has chosen us to be disciples and to make disciples. Being a disciple requires that we become like our Master. Our character should match the character of Jesus.
We are instantly changed when we become believers. Our spirit becomes responsive to the Holy Spirit. We are changed from inside out. But we are also in need of change. We become like Jesus by the removal of the things that are contrary to who He is and accepting the things that are like Him. Unfortunately, both of these require a painful transformation.
Character flaws are removed by challenging our status quo. Patience is brought to us by exasperating situations. Our tested patience fails. So, it is tested again and again until we have patience as a character trait. Impatience has been removed by producing patience. If we are full of pride, we are humbled until humility becomes a character trait. If we lack peace we are given troubling times until our lack of peace is replaced with peace.
Not only has God not forgotten us when these things happen; He is actually working more directly with us that we have known before. He has seen in us what we may not have seen in ourselves. (He is never wrong.) He sees us as truly fruit bearing believers who will be changed positively by the pruning He will do on us.
I suppose most people would rather there was a different way to become like Jesus. I know I would. But I have never seen the lack of resistance produce strength. No Olympian has ever won a medal by sitting on a couch. It required a lot of hard work and pain.
So, the next time that you think God has turned His back on you remember this: He is giving you His full attention as He brings you through the process of becoming like His Son.
Unfortunately, the process means we have to go through significant challenges.
John 15:1-2 (ESV)
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
Friday, March 4, 2011
The Way Things Look Depends upon Where You Are Standing
I just finished a book that castigated preachers who didn't agree with the author. Not so long ago I would have agreed with him. I am standing in a different place now. I am a preacher. I see the flaws in this author's reason. I can see them because I can't sit in judgment without knowing what is really going. I know because I live out what these other preachers are being criticized for.
This author says that preachers are not giving serious exposition to the scripture in their messages because they don't want to do the hard work of study. I laughed out loud as I read this. This author thinks that biblical exposition is hard! I know I would rather study the scriptures than do many other things that take up my life. I don't study like I should because I am in the hospital giving comfort to a family, counseling a young person on what direction his life should take, doing a funeral for a long time church member and/or sharing the gospel with someone who doesn't know Jesus. So, there are times when I "shoot from the hip" as this author has stated. I make some mistakes in my biblical history. I don't believe I have ever taught a heresy but I have certainly been guilty of inadequate preparation.
Do I believe that the preaching of the scripture is a sacred trust? Yes, but I also understand the necessity of taking care of sheep. Jesus said He was the truth. He didn't say that He merely told the truth. The fact that He is the truth means that I must interpret scripture and all of my life in the light of who He is. He is my Lord. I am obedient to what He says. I don't have the time to give every nuance of scripture. I must depend upon Him for giving the essentials of the scripture. I must depend upon Him to give me the essentials of life too. Everything is interpreted through Him.
So, I am not so critical any more when it comes to preachers who make mistakes from the pulpit. Yes, they get some things wrong. So do I. This has certainly given me much more grace as I have listened to others. I find that most of them have good hearts that seek after the Lord. They may not be intellectual heavyweights. They may not have had the time that this author has been afforded to prepare his messages. They may not be as good as him in their delivery. So what?
I guess my whole perspective was changed when I became a preacher.
Matthew 7:2 (NIV)
2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
This author says that preachers are not giving serious exposition to the scripture in their messages because they don't want to do the hard work of study. I laughed out loud as I read this. This author thinks that biblical exposition is hard! I know I would rather study the scriptures than do many other things that take up my life. I don't study like I should because I am in the hospital giving comfort to a family, counseling a young person on what direction his life should take, doing a funeral for a long time church member and/or sharing the gospel with someone who doesn't know Jesus. So, there are times when I "shoot from the hip" as this author has stated. I make some mistakes in my biblical history. I don't believe I have ever taught a heresy but I have certainly been guilty of inadequate preparation.
Do I believe that the preaching of the scripture is a sacred trust? Yes, but I also understand the necessity of taking care of sheep. Jesus said He was the truth. He didn't say that He merely told the truth. The fact that He is the truth means that I must interpret scripture and all of my life in the light of who He is. He is my Lord. I am obedient to what He says. I don't have the time to give every nuance of scripture. I must depend upon Him for giving the essentials of the scripture. I must depend upon Him to give me the essentials of life too. Everything is interpreted through Him.
So, I am not so critical any more when it comes to preachers who make mistakes from the pulpit. Yes, they get some things wrong. So do I. This has certainly given me much more grace as I have listened to others. I find that most of them have good hearts that seek after the Lord. They may not be intellectual heavyweights. They may not have had the time that this author has been afforded to prepare his messages. They may not be as good as him in their delivery. So what?
I guess my whole perspective was changed when I became a preacher.
Matthew 7:2 (NIV)
2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Where Is Truth?
I have asked people that question. Where is truth? Most don't have a clue what I have asked.
I want to know how anyone can know what the truth is. We must have a place that allows us to know truth or our world will constantly change with right and wrong. We will be confused and stay confused. We will always wonder if we are doing what we should.
This is why children need structure in their lives in order to feel secure. They need to know what is right and wrong. That right and wrong must come consistently from both parents. The child is secure in knowing that he can play in the yard but will be punished if he wanders into the street. The consistency of right and wrong allows the child to play freely in the yard without fear of being punished. The child has learned that truth comes from his parents. Inconsistency from parents results in the child being confused. He doesn't know what is right if he plays in the street with no punishment. He is insecure in his understanding of truth.
Truth cannot be that which is accepted in society. Society changes constantly. It will say that big cars are the desire of everyone in one decade and denigrate those that own them in the next. Society says that sheer numbers of people who support and idea, lifestyle or morality determine what is right and wrong. This creates a very insecure people. They have to read the latest poll before they can determine what they will support or deny. Eventually they will have no personal convictions. In fact, society itself will have no convictions.
So, when I ask where is truth I am looking for a specific answer. I want to know where the person finds truth. I know where I find it and want to see if the person agrees with me. I know that Jesus is the truth. All of life needs to be interpreted through Him. Scripture is interpreted in the light of Jesus. It sets me free to relate to all other things in my life.
I find truth in the person of Jesus. Therefore, I find that living in His words reveal the truth. I know the truth experientially when I live within His words. It is more than merely an intellectual assent to the truth. It is a practical practicing of that truth. In other words, I don't simply know the boundaries but I live within them. They bring me to security and give me freedom to act within them.
John 8:31-32 (NIV)
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
I want to know how anyone can know what the truth is. We must have a place that allows us to know truth or our world will constantly change with right and wrong. We will be confused and stay confused. We will always wonder if we are doing what we should.
This is why children need structure in their lives in order to feel secure. They need to know what is right and wrong. That right and wrong must come consistently from both parents. The child is secure in knowing that he can play in the yard but will be punished if he wanders into the street. The consistency of right and wrong allows the child to play freely in the yard without fear of being punished. The child has learned that truth comes from his parents. Inconsistency from parents results in the child being confused. He doesn't know what is right if he plays in the street with no punishment. He is insecure in his understanding of truth.
Truth cannot be that which is accepted in society. Society changes constantly. It will say that big cars are the desire of everyone in one decade and denigrate those that own them in the next. Society says that sheer numbers of people who support and idea, lifestyle or morality determine what is right and wrong. This creates a very insecure people. They have to read the latest poll before they can determine what they will support or deny. Eventually they will have no personal convictions. In fact, society itself will have no convictions.
So, when I ask where is truth I am looking for a specific answer. I want to know where the person finds truth. I know where I find it and want to see if the person agrees with me. I know that Jesus is the truth. All of life needs to be interpreted through Him. Scripture is interpreted in the light of Jesus. It sets me free to relate to all other things in my life.
I find truth in the person of Jesus. Therefore, I find that living in His words reveal the truth. I know the truth experientially when I live within His words. It is more than merely an intellectual assent to the truth. It is a practical practicing of that truth. In other words, I don't simply know the boundaries but I live within them. They bring me to security and give me freedom to act within them.
John 8:31-32 (NIV)
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
There Is Time for Everything You Need to Do
I find myself rushing more than I ever did when I was younger. I rush to the hospitals to visit the sick. I rush to committee meetings, luncheons and appointments. I write articles as quickly as possible. I spend almost every waking moment working. I am getting less done than I ever have.
Maybe I am giving the same emphasis to everything I do. Maybe I am trying to do more than I should. Of one thing I am sure: God does not want me living my life this way. He has given me twenty-four hours in every day to do what He wishes. Sometimes He wishes me to sit and listen without doing anything else. Sometimes He just wants me to relax. He always wants me doing the right thing at the right time.
This is one of the reasons I must have a time alone with Him every day. I need to know what I am supposed to do without rushing everywhere trying to do everything as if everything had the same importance. Some things I will not get to do because I was never supposed to do them. Some of the things I must do.
I guess I don't think of God telling me I shouldn't be doing something that seems perfectly legitimate. He simply doesn't want me leading all the Bible studies or preaching all the sermons. God gives me enough time to do everything He wants me to do. My trying to cram other things into my schedule has nothing to do with Him. It has everything to do with me.
Maybe that's your problem too. Maybe you have been trying to cram too much into your day. There is time for everything that needs to be done. You just don't have to do it all yourself. You may need to do it at a different time or not at all.
Have you ever thought thought that maybe the universe really doesn't revolve around you?
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Maybe I am giving the same emphasis to everything I do. Maybe I am trying to do more than I should. Of one thing I am sure: God does not want me living my life this way. He has given me twenty-four hours in every day to do what He wishes. Sometimes He wishes me to sit and listen without doing anything else. Sometimes He just wants me to relax. He always wants me doing the right thing at the right time.
This is one of the reasons I must have a time alone with Him every day. I need to know what I am supposed to do without rushing everywhere trying to do everything as if everything had the same importance. Some things I will not get to do because I was never supposed to do them. Some of the things I must do.
I guess I don't think of God telling me I shouldn't be doing something that seems perfectly legitimate. He simply doesn't want me leading all the Bible studies or preaching all the sermons. God gives me enough time to do everything He wants me to do. My trying to cram other things into my schedule has nothing to do with Him. It has everything to do with me.
Maybe that's your problem too. Maybe you have been trying to cram too much into your day. There is time for everything that needs to be done. You just don't have to do it all yourself. You may need to do it at a different time or not at all.
Have you ever thought thought that maybe the universe really doesn't revolve around you?
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV)
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
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