Try Harder

When I was in Youth Group, Brian and I had an inside joke going for years. When we played hockey or basketball and one of us made a hustle play we would say, "Dude, You try too hard."

We love rooting for the underdog that tried really hard and is where he/she is not because of natural talent but effort. And Effort is important. If you don't try you are not going to be successful at the majority of life.

But what happens when I try so hard that I don't take care of myself.....

Back Pack?!???

Imagine you are wearing a backpack. There is nothing inside the backpack. Just air. It's easy to carry.....

But then someone asks you do them a favor or two... okay... so you add a rock.

Each time someone asks you to do something for them you add a rock.

Not a problem! You are strong person. Until you start placing unrealistic expectations on yourself. And then that ONE PERSON. You know your co-dependent friend. Lay all of their burdens on YOU!

They take their backpack and ask, "Can you carry this for me?"

And of course, you do! You are such a nice person. But being nice can be tiring. And you continue to add more rocks and more responsibility and then.......you have a really heavy backpack.

You get the picture..right?


Back on track.

So what advice do I offer?

Two simple two of advice today for you.

1) Learn to say No.

I have learned I better if I can give 100% at the thing I am doing. If I cant give my all I try to say No. I am not perfect at this and I am still learning but as we pray and discern and think about our prioritises we can say Yes to important things and no to the less important.


2) Lean on Jesus

"Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest."- Matthew 11:28


As we learn to say "No" I believe Jesus walks besides us and will take those dirty rocks out of our backpack. He will give us peace and rest in his presence.


Conclusion

We are steep in American Culture. Try Harder. Do More. Than you will be happy. But why be happy? Happiness is limited. It is short lived. Instead learn to be content. Content with your life. Content with what he is doing in your life and what He wants to do with you.

Yes, following Jesus, but not striving but relying. Not reaching but resting.

I pray that as you read this blog you are experiencing the peace of Jesus this summer. And if not I pray that He will teach you what it means to epxerence his goodness this summer! Amen.