Meditation for Perfectionists – Saturday December 21, 2024

Focusing on the Source

Philippians 1:20-21: “For to me, to live is Christ…” (v.21).

Paul was not obsessed with his ministry. His main focus was Christ himself. Oswald Chambers wrote: “If I am devoted to the cause of humanity only, I will soon be exhausted and come to the place where my love will falter; but if I love Jesus Christ personally and passionately, I can serve humanity…”

When obsessed with a ministry or cause, we may try to accomplish the impossible through super-human strength. Frustration often results when others do not join our passionate campaigns. Eventually our inability to achieve impossible dreams leaves us with an acute sense of powerless. When devotion (or addiction) to a ministry or cause is carried to an unhealthy extreme, burnout will likely follow.

The desire to help and do good deeds for others does not have to squeeze the joy out of your relationship with God. Your ministry or mission in life need not dominate your life. Like Paul, we can turn our focus on the source of all good–Christ himself. There we find freedom.

Lord, sometimes I think I try to prove
I’m worthy to be your child
by allowing my service and good deeds
to monopolize my time and thoughts.
Help me to change my focus and allow you
to work in and through me,
dispelling my drivenness.

Copyright Joan C. Webb

For more from Joan Webb visit www.joancwebb.com