I don’t normally share super-personal stuff on this blog like how I’m feeling. But at the moment I’m feeling pretty bummed. Not sure why. A bit overwhelmed with things to do, not enough time to do them, not using time effectively, which gets me more bummed, so yeah. Whenever I get back from holidays it always takes me a couple of weeks to get back in the swing of things… but I don’t feel like i’m at that point yet… I’ve been thinking about how much easier it would be for me to work a 9-5 job and then just cram ministry around that. I find it hard to work by myself at home… I’m very much a team sports person rather than individual. I need people around me to motivate me and keep me accountable and to talk to!! I don’t think i’m depressed (in the clinical sense) or anything like that – but just want to be more efective and disciplined. Anyway… God is good…
The following are the lyrics from one of my favourite songs. It’s called Forever and it’s by REVIVE. It’s up to 78 on the play count in iTunes on my computer and hope the boys don’t mind me quoting the song here.
Forever
Do you feel like giving up, are you at the end yet?
Have you lost the hope you had, is your heart set?This is not how it ends
I won’t lay down no more, No!
I will fight to the end
But I cannot win
Only with you I’ll live foreverWell he’s seen it all before he’s been through it with you now
He’s got hopes and plans for you give it all to him
Taken from here
it was good to write this down
Heya man, it is totally natural and ok to feel like this every now and again.
And I agree, writing down stuff (especially publically) can be very cathartic.
Hey David – ministry is like that isn’t it?
We (AB & I) often feel like you are feeling – but I keep reminding myself that it’s worth it because Jesus died for us. (that prob doesn’t help you, but it helps me)
Also – I just give up and pray that God will get done all those things I cant, or AB cant – and leave it in His hands. I’ll pray for you.
Hi DAve,
Praying for you mate, it gets tough sometimes hey this busy world we live in. Although i dont know the struggles of full time ministry i think i can empathise with you a little bit,,so many things due- times running out but i always find that that period doesnt last long and it all works out…i often feel on reflection though that i dont rely on God as much as i should in those difficult times, but it is great! to know that he is right there with us even in the tough times. DAve you really are an encouragment i dont know many people that would work as hard as you do, you do alot for ccec youth and faithfully serve each week and alot of hard work gets put in by you behind the scenes (dont blush)..dont give up run the good race brother. id better go now and do an assignment but ill be thinking of you.
How good are Revive davo have a listen to the last track “You Know” its an encouragment to me, it helped me (not as much as the bible!) when i was thinkin about my future and stuff and my priorities.
Anyway have a great day mate ill c u tonight..Confide in the neighbours cat.
Jon
Hi David,
It was good to write this all down, but you also need to tell those who are trainig you at CCEC, so that they can properly look after you.
You need to ask Andrew to help you through this pragmatically as he has been in ministry for years and years.
Also once you’re out of this funk, you should try and work out who your mentors are (people who know about your stiuation well with work, and whose advice you can take cause that have your best interest at heart and not their own) so that you can draw on them at times like this.
PG and I are in full time ministry and we have our different mentors who we rely on for council when needed.
You also need to figure out working smart and not hard.
Find a list of this that work for you and things that work against you and use them in times like these: Listening to sad dour music can be unhelpful. Going for a walk can be helpful etc.
thanks for the encouragement guys
Hi Dave.
Didn’t realise you were feeling bummed when we saw you on Saturday. Hope the day off yesterday helped.
I think it’s part of work outside the garden generally, whether ministry type work or secular work (if there even is such a distinction). I’ve had periods where I’ve felt incredibly bummed at work and sometimes it has stretched on for weeks. I’ve been very down and dread getting out of bed in the morning. Fortunately, I’m enjoying work at the moment, but it does come in cycles a bit.
I think it’s easy to yearn for the perfect job where we always love what we do, but that’s trying to shortcut God’s plans to overcome the curse, and is seeking a quick trip to the new heaven and new earth!
Anyway, hope things are looking up. Sometimes it just takes a while get back into the swing after a holiday.
hey andy,
things are fine.
day off yesterday was gold.
bring on new heaven and new earth!!
dave