I wasn’t planning on posting today, because I overslept. But I came across this verse this morning and had to share it. With the beginning of a new school year comes the beginning of other activities, dance, football, Wednesday night kid’s church programs, you name it. Many of my friends are telling me that they need to scale back, cut down on activities and commitment. When I read this verse, I had to go back and read it again.
Listen… Luke 12:48 says, “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes]. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
We always hear the middle of this verse quoted, “for unto whomsoever much is given, of him much shall be required” . But what about the last part “To men who have committed much, of him they will ask more.” Can I get an Amen!? Does anyone else see the truth in that statement? The warning!?!
This is how it rambles around in my mind, the more you commit yourself, to anything, church, school, kids, sports, etc., the more people ask of you. At first it is fun. Wow, people need me, I am good at <fill in the blank>, I should help. Before we know it we are in over our heads and are not able to do anything effectively, we are just hanging on by the skin of our teeth. I truly believe that in order to glorify God with our lives they cannot be overrun. Maybe this is our warning, “Don’t commit “much“! Don’t get in over your head! Slow down!
Mr. Overkill is definitely the voice of reason in my life. By nature, I like to help people. The best compliment I was ever paid from a good friend was “M doesn’t have much, but she would give you the shirt off her back, if you needed it!” So, I have a tendency to become over-committed. Now, by choice, whenever I am thinking about taking on a new service/commitment, I ask him to help me decide if I have the time. For example, this past year our homeschool group was in need of a new coordinator. The majority of the members asked me to take up the position. After discussing it with Mr. Overkill, we decided that if I was going to take on the responsibility, something else had to go, and he actually gave me a specific, teaching on Wednesday nights. Talk about a hard choice for me! I love to encourage other homeschool moms, and I love to teach kids. I prayed so much about that decision, and finally got the answer from the out-going homeschool coordinator (who also happens to help coordinate the Wednesday night teachers). She told me where she thought I would be best, and that if I chose to stop teaching, it would be OK. So, that’s what I did. My point I guess is that Mr. OK is such a help to me in these areas. My other point is that I am sad, because tonight is the first Wednesday night I will not be teaching…and I am kind of sad. But I know I have made the right decision as I have seen the Lord bless the Homeschool group, and brought ladies alongside me to help with the burden.
To Whom men have committed much, of him will they ask more.